Christopher James
Leo Rhule
RohanCargill
Amanda Gibson
Aundre France
Esther Chin
Marc Thomas
Nicholas Rose
Stacy-Ann Hyde
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Ruth Howard, Arts & Education WriterThey're the 15 faces being heralded by The Mutual Gallery and Art Centre Ltd as the promising posterity of Jamaican art. This year's ArtFRESH exhibition winners have met the criteria for being creatively authentic and committed to their art careers. Today, nine of them share their thoughts on their pasts, present, and futures in art.
- Rohan Cargill - 'Inspired by art'
Exhibit piece: 'Jackfruit'
Did you choose art or did art choose you?: I started my art career in 1985. I started doing art because I was inspired by other artists and their work. It was as if art had chosen me from the early parts of my life.
How hard/easy is it to be successful in art in today's economy?: Art is my only means of income as it is my life's career. So far, all the responses to my piece at the ArtFRESH exhibit have been good, so perhaps I may just go out on the international level in future events.
- Christopher James - 'A Born Artist'
Exhibit pieces: 'Time To Mourn', 'Untitled 1', 'Untitled 2'
Inspiration: God inspires my art. I'm motivated by the things that God does for me. I can see a specific tree, song, movie, then try to use the principles and elements of art to portray that.
Did you choose art or did art choose you?:
I'm a born artist. I use art in everything I do. You could say art chose me, or God gave me the artistic ability.
How easy/hard is it to be successful in art in today's economy?:
As a painter, it's difficult to get the quality, brand and amount of art supplies you need sometimes. I operate a farm as well.
Future: I'm looking to expand my farming so that I can get some money together to finish art school. I don't think I'll ever stop art. I want to find a unique style, to make it mine, and continue to use art to tell stories.
- Leo Rhule - 'Driven by Curiosity'
Exhibit pieces: 'Study of Rest' (#1-4)
Inspiration: I had questions and needed answers, the idea of emotion and how we consider each other. In a word, curiosity.
Did you choose art or did art choose you?: I started working in art at a very young age. I grew up in a family of artists - my father, grandfather ... I didn't consider art seriously till about 20. Art chose me.
Future: Doing more art, and exhibitions. Going from group to solo exhibitions, and being known.
- Aundre France - With Art until Time Ends'
Exhibit piece: 'Kingston Harbour'
Inspiration: Well, nature plays a big role in inspiring me, as well as critics - they motivate and drive me to do greatly.
Did you choose art or did art choose you?:
When I was at primary school, all my male classmates were very good at drawing comics, and I wasn't. I took time to practise the elements. Later, I got better, and now, I don't know the limit of my ability and talent. I guess you could say I chose art, but now, it's embracing me as well.
How hard/easy is it to be successful in art in today's economy?:
Well, it's very difficult for me as I live in a lower-class family from Arnett Gardens. I made a lot of sacrifices, I even starved myself to save to buy art supplies in high school. Another problem was to get my work out and get my name across the country. Since leaving [high] school, I've applied for numerous jobs, but [have not found one yet]. I try not to waste any time and invest this free time into my art.
Future: I see myself going on with art until time ends. I aim to be not just one of Jamaica's top artists, but also internationally [successful], by God's way.
- Amanda Gibson - 'Art Is My Life's Purpose'
Inspiration: I'm depicting moods of the soul, a complicated process.
Did you choose art or did art choose you?:
I knew photography was my life's purpose from age 14. I had a calling for it. I always photographed flora and fauna.
How hard/easy is it to be successful in art in today's economy?:
It's very difficult as a young artist. There isn't much support because of the economy. People love art. They always appreciate it, especially in Jamaica. [But] I have a nine-to-five job in advertising. I also do photography as a business - portraiture, photo restoration ... it keeps the creative juices flowing and forces me to be up to date. I'm a purist. I will always love film, but I also have to move with the way things are going.
Future: A solo show is my number-one goal. I would like to show all 10 pieces [in the Solarization Series] and create a second series. For this series, all title names end in 'tion'. Maybe for the next one, I'll use 'sion'. I definitely want to get more exposure.
- Stacy-Ann Hyde - 'Art Is Calling Me'
Inspiration: I'm wondering why people are surprised by breasts. Breasts represent wholesomeness, femininity, something that looks good. It's a self-expressive series to help me deal with what I'm going through.
Did you choose art or did art choose you?:
Art has always been a way of escape for me, [It has ] helped me on an emotional level. It's a passion of mine. I feel better completing a piece of art than working in the corporate world. I took a hiatus from art, started avoiding exhibitions, but people kept asking me about my art, so I stopped resisting.
Future: Well, the art is calling me.
- Nicholas Rose - 'Going All-out'
Exhibit piece: 'Jamaica 50'
Inspiration: There are feelings in it, expressions - politics that the country has been through. I used colours that are not very common [to represent] the struggle and toil that we've been through. The lines show vibrancy and strength. It basically depicts the current situation in the country. Plus calmness and stability to balance it.
Did you choose art or did art choose you?:
Art chose me. In my childhood, I remember lying on the floor drawing; covering paper with lines.
How hard/easy is it to be successful in art in today's economy?:
It is challenging. I have to do several other things. I have a small business in Trelawny, and teach in Manchester. It's hard work.
Future: I will try for the under-40 biennial, try to take my work overseas, go all-out.
- Esther Chin - My Work Is My Voice'
Inspiration: My inspiration is my cultural identity, and I love the environment. I like to use recycled or discarded materials ... I make use of them to bring something beautiful into our lives. For example, the bougainvillea, which has a paper-like quality. The petal is delicate, aesthetically appeasing, soft, subtle, feminine, meticulous. [Creating art] takes deep meditation, [but] this is my strength. I speak through my work. My work is my voice.
How hard/easy is it to be successful in art in today's economy?:
It's very difficult. The materials are quite expensive, but when you use materials you can readily find in your environment, it cuts cost. Art is my mainstay. I get my materials, and an amazing desire to create something [follows].
Future: More shows, to continue to create in spite of the economic climate. [Art is] my voice. It's how I can be part of this world. Even if you don't purchase the work, somehow, it will remain with you and have a positive impact.
- Marc Thomas - 'The Environmentalist'
Exhibit pieces: 'Into The White', 'Beauty In Chaos', 'Abandoned Mill'
Inspiration: My love for photography and the environment. It came out of my appreciation for the environment. I was always in environmental clubs and so on.
Did you choose art or did art choose you?:
My career has nothing to do with art. I'm a chemical engineer. But my art comes out of my appreciation and concern for the environment.
Future: I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to do art full-time, but I do it because I love what I do, kinda as a hobby, and, at this point, it would only be a secondary source of income.