1. Art is valued, given space, and financed.

 

My first impression of New York was a culture that placed a high value and emphasis on the arts and in particular on Visual Arts. In each park or open space an artist’s work is represented. The subway systems are beautifully decorated with mosaic tiles and glass work, the older buildings are ornately decorated and well preserved, and newer buildings are covered with contemporary artwork. Even the graffiti in the more depressed areas speaks of a people who express themselves in and value visual art.

As my stay in New York progressed I was impressed to learn that every university we visited had a museum attached to it which showcased the artwork that the university specialized in. And these museums were well patronized. The schools themselves spoke of a society where importance is placed on the teaching of the arts. The facilities were well equipped with modern innovations and equipment that facilitate the production of art to a very high standard. Oh how I long for such facilities to be available in my own university!

 

2. Surtex

 

The opportunity to visit Surtex was incomparable. So many different artists, from all over the world, with so many different styles and themes, all in one place. You could search the internet for months and still not see and meet all the artists represented there.

During the show I was exposed to the many different colours and styles, materials and mediums. I was able to collect materials from the many booths and this has helped me to zero in on those colours, materials, textures and themes that resonate with me now, which is very helpful in decision making in my own art work.

It opened my eyes to the fact that there is a clientele for every type of artist. The artist simply needs to find the market that their artwork is relevant to, whether that is a more commercial market or a niche market. I was able to chat with a number of artists about the process that they use and it helped me to define the process that I use.

Most powerfully, though, is that Surtex showed me that a painting, or sculpture, etc., does not have to remain in its original form. It can be translated via photography and print into wallpaper, fabric on a couch, a wall or light fixture, a rug, a handbag, a dress, stationary, or wrapping paper, the list is endless. Using that information I was able to conceptualize that the idea portrayed in a large three dimensional artwork, or installation could be distilled into smaller images and made into smaller saleable objects in ceramic or paper or cloth.

I was impressed to see Universities represented in some of the booths in the Show. It awaked in me a desire to have our own UWI Creative Arts Centre represented there!

 

3. Art is an experience

 

Visiting the exhibitions of the final year students of all the universities in the area was an experience that was incredibly helpful to me as an artist. I was able to learn from their creativity, from their different approaches, from their different uses of media and materials. I was sunk low in the abyss of despair with the depiction of one student’s journey out of sexual abuse; lifted up and comforted by another’s depiction of warmth and home; uncomfortable and anxious with another student’s depiction of the clash of two cultures in her own body when her family migrated from one country to another; felt the stirrings of insanity in another’s representation of the thoughts in his mind. I learnt that the kind of art I want to make must be relevant to the viewer, must touch them, not only in their mind, but also in the body with their feelings, and perhaps, even their soul. I learnt that art must create an experience.

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4. Thank you

 

I am exceedingly grateful for being given this opportunity. I am most thankful for the dedication, and patience, of Mr. Kadette, who went beyond the call of duty to broaden the learning experience of his students.