Vincentian artist closes curtain on art exhibition in Guyana

Vincentian multimedia artist and goldsmith Josette Norris closed her first exhibition in Guyana on Saturday, June 10. The one-week exhibition of art and jewellery was held at a private pop-up gallery in the downtown ward of North Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

Over the past few years Josette has been a frequent visitor to Guyana, where her daughter, Samara Murphy lives with husband Ronald Burch-Smith, and her grandson Grayson. The idea to stage an exhibition in Guyana came from her son-in-law and grew out of her appreciation for Guyana’s rich cultural heritage.

The exhibition included some of the artist’s older work such as a tribute to Australian/Jamaican artist Colin Garland, Josette’s friend from the Jamaica School of Art (JSA), and a portrait of Vincentian jazz musician and poet Ellsworth “Shake” Keane with excerpts from his work The Volcano Suite. A copy of Keane’s poem on the 1979 eruption, which referenced Guyanese rice, was placed beneath the painting and was noted with delight by some visitors. One guest was inspired to look up the poet’s work and music and returned to the exhibition to play “Fire, fire” and discuss Keane’s poetry with Josette.

Newer work influenced by Pembroke landscapes and the flora and fauna around Josette’s home in St Vincent and her daughter’s home in Georgetown were also exhibited and received the most attention from art collectors. Art aficionados raved over the use of colours and the inspiring and soul nourishing experience of viewing her work. Noted by several viewers, was the diverse nature of the artist’s work. The multi-dimensional aspects of Josette’s paintings mesmerized the Georgetown public. Some attendees even returned to linger with companions or to engage Josette in conversation.

Visitors to the exhibition had the unique opportunity to purchase two new books by Josette, one featuring line drawings of bicycle riders in Guyana, aptly titled, ‘Ride, Guyana’ and ‘Just a Dream’, an illustrated children’s book dedicated to her grandson. The exhibition also featured one-of-a-kind costume jewelry fashioned from indigenous material, various metals, semi-precious stones and objets trouvé.

Josette, who has previously exhibited in Jamaica (1984), Trinidad and Tobago (1984), France at UNESCO Paris (1999), The United States at OAS Washington, D.C., (2004) and many times at home in St Vincent and the Grenadines, was pleased by the enthusiasm of the attendees and has said that she will consider exhibiting again in Guyana in the future.