A pyrographic artist specialises in burning design onto wood or leather. And for more than a decade, Irene Bacchus-Holder has been perfecting this art form in creating functional pieces for the home using Guyana’s natural woods.
Wine goblets made from Purpleheart and Wamara
Nominated as one of the ten finalists in the inaugural UNCTAD/EMPRETEC International Women in Business Award 2008, Irene began her business by doing pyrography on functional items such as jewellery boxes and kitchen wares. Her first efforts, given as gifts to personal friends and family members, were well received, and this encouraged her to start marketing her designs.
After registering her business, Irene contracted two very enthusiastic young graduates of the Linden Technical Institute to take care of the routine work under her close supervision.
She personally designs and finishes each item. Having received very positive responses to her product line at international trade shows in Barbados, North America, England, France, Mauritius, Venezuela and a number of other Caribbean countries, including Cuba and Curacao, Irene decided to target the export market.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Irene said, “Guyana has some of the most beautiful wood species in the world, and logging companies are using just a few for commercial purposes – about 70 of over 1000 species. In their quest to harvest those few species, a lot of wastage occurs. Since the species do not grow in stands, paths have to be cleared to individual trees, and species which are not needed are felled and left to rot. In addition to using the plain woods to do pyrography, I utilise Guyana’s beautiful wood species to create the decorative and functional items displayed here. Items may be crafted to suit your special needs.”
Pyrographic artist Irene Bacchus-Holder
Irene decided to utilise discarded species, and arranged with loggers to be supplied with beautiful species such as Dukaliballi, Snakewood, Itikiboraballi and Marblewood, to name a few. The natural flaws in the wood are repaired and highlighted in the product to show the naturalness of wood. This also adds a unique quality to the item.
She approached local stores with her art, and was rewarded with several orders. Irene then opened her business, Amazon Authentics. Her products are made of very beautiful and rare (not endangered) species of wood, which are harvested when they are discarded by commercial loggers.
The shavings from production are used in gardens as ground cover to keep the soil moist. Linden, hometown of Amazon Authentics, is located in the hilly sand and clay belt of Guyana, and the white sand found here drains easily, causing plants to dry out readily in the tropical sun.
Pen holder and pen made from Dukabaliballi
“Amazon Authentics utilises different types of Guyana’s beautiful tropical woods to create both decorative and functional original pieces in the form of scrolled and turned objects. Each item is individually hand-finished and is of high quality. The business operates with awareness and care for the environment; its source material is wood discarded by the commercial logging industry; its waste product is used as ground cover for local gardens.”
This self-taught artist stated that she will soon be exhibiting her pieces in California for the first time; pieces such as vases, candlesticks and a wide variety of decorative bowls, gift items for the office such as pens, a variety of business card boxes, paperweights, pen and letter holders; kitchen and table wares such as trays, cutting boards, rolling pins, coasters, cups and plates. She is currently working on creating women’s accessories, wooden hair ornaments and necklaces. She will also be exhibiting these in California. If you are interested in purchasing items from Irene’s amazing wooden creations, call her on 444 – 6161 or 444 – 6637, or 670 – 5162; or email her at amazonauthentics@gmail.com. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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