By Lakhram Bhagirat
For artist, Raimund Angelo Rausch, every time he dips his brush it is as if he is dipping it deep within his soul, painting his own nature into his paintings while exposing his vulnerability for the entire world to see. Raimund is a self-taught Guyanese artist who have always been intrigued by the arts from a very young age and it was something he was born to do.
The 29-year- old spent his early years in Kingston, Georgetown and later moved to Campbellvile. Raimund spent his adolescent years reading, studying and questioning everting while being absolutely mute towards how things were. He was actively divulging into a sea of uncertainty, he explains that those years were part of what molded his creativity.
In his prior years, Raimund, was always around an older artist friend and was captivated by the level of patience and intricacy that was required to create masterpieces. His interest was piqued and he began to dabble, to his surprise he had what was required to make his mark in the art world.
“Inspiration should come from any and everywhere… vulnerability through life’s experiences is essential that is, if you want to take your art to different places,” Raimund explained.
However, art is not the only interest that Raimund has. He has been actively involved in martial arts, which taught him discipline. Currently, he is involved in CrossFit-something that he explains help keeping him active.
Raimund-Angelo’s work is always a whirlpool of emotions as he tries to portray what is in his heart more than ever. His work can be considered as common feel between contemporary and abstract. He has had the chance to display his work at a local art festival but the turning point in his career was when he was invited to display at the “Integration through Art” exhibition in Trinidad, last year.
“It opened my eyes to other Caribbean artists work and it also made me comfortable in what I produced. It was nerve wrecking to stand there as the crowd expanded. The responses were unexpected and the Trinidadians welcomed me. I learnt a lot from that time and I’m hoping to return for another show next year. Those were actually some of my best pieces I produced,” he explained.
Like every other Guyanese artist, Raimund identifies the lack of opportunities since Guyanese are not too inclined to appreciate the intricacies of the art world. He describes the approach as one-dimensional due to the lack of acceptance of new ideas.
For Raimund the dream is so very big. He aspires to own a gallery and to make the necessary connections worldwide to assist local artists since he thinks there should be a continuous cycle to keep the imagination of the younger ones alive.
“Sometimes, I would sit and listen to my friends’ kids tell stories and see them scribble on paper or on the floor – those things, I wish people paid attention to those moments; the level of creativity is endless – the question is ‘ how do we keep it alive?”
“I see my art taking a turn for the next few years; since I’ve ventured into this profession, I’m more involved with who I am, I allow myself to be open and expressive as I want – I’ve corrected a few mistakes (still am, that includes producing bad work etc.). It all comes with experience not so much with age. You have to be willing to accept and want to change,” Raimund gleefully said.
While he immerses himself in whatever he is working on, Raimund is also preparing for his first solo show-the date he is expected to announce soon. He considers himself a mixed medium artist, even though watercolours are by far his favourite and dominant medium across in his pieces.
It can be noted that women are a main subject in his pieces! Growing up as the only boy in his family, he was inspired by the strength and determination of the women he was surrounded by. He aims to pay as much homage to these women and those others he is fortunate enough to meet. On the other hand, he still tries to incorporate other concepts to keep the creativity alive.
While everybody celebrated breast cancer awareness month in October, Raimund took the initiative to create “Ink-tober” where he aspired to complete a number of pieces to commemorate the month.
All those pieces are for sale. For those wishing to own a one of Raimund’s masterpieces could contact him on his various social media platforms.
He advises all up and coming artists to stay true to themselves and express themselves without any limitations.(Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
