In the Sunday Stabroek two weeks ago (June 15), artist Stanley Greaves wrote about Roderick ‘Bermine’ Bartrum, who passed away recently. Below are examples of two of his works, with further commentary by Greaves.
Even during student days in the 1970s at the Burrowes School of Art Roderick Bartrum stated unequivocally that he had no interest in becoming an artist. This was a declaration that he lived up to throughout his life. His aim was to create objects that were pleasing to the eye. The presentation of concepts that appealed to mind and eye was not a major concern. His decision was to be an artisan, one who produced high quality attractive objects. He was of Amerindian extraction and lived at Kwakwani, which would explain his interest in carving Amerindians in traditional dress and in the wildlife of the forest.
Bartrum had the natural abilities of a sculptor. His preferred medium was wood. Gifted with fast hands in the use of tools and an innate understanding of human and animal anatomy he was able to create quite expressive forms. That he also had a feeling for expression is seen in the figures of the Jaguar and the Amerindian woman.
of Andre Greaves)
collection of Natasha
Greaves-Ann)
The Jaguar is alert and about to leap into space, and the Amerindian woman is walking leaning forward under the load of her warishi and carrying a cutlass. Having very observant eyes allowed him to work in a realistic mode and he focused always on capturing movement, a sense of the dynamic.
Roderick Bartrum was a very private person whose skills and dedication brought him commissions from satisfied patrons. This freed him from having to seek sales and gave more time for the production of his fine work. He will be missed by those who knew him well.
