An exhibition of indigenous art paying homage to late Lokono priest and linguist John Peter Bennett and in honour of Indigenous People’s Month opened at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House on Thursday.
Dubbed Moving Circle, the exhibition featuring the works of indigenous artists has been around since 1991, although the term was only coined in 2002. The current display includes the works of two craftswomen from St Cuthbert’s Mission, master balata craftsman George Tacrendo and his assistant Guy Fredericks from Nappi in the North Rupununi, Sherland Patoir, Oswald Hussein, Winslow Craig, Desmond Ali, Foster Simon and George Simon.
The collection of work ranges from sculptures, balata craft, paintings and photographs.
It was curated by Ohene Koama and organised by George Simon, who has curated works since the 1980s and trained many of Guyana’s prominent indigenous artists as well as the featured artists in the Moving Circle.
Canon Bennett, who apart from being a priest and linguist was also a writer of some note, passed away in 2011. A remarkable Guyanese, Bennett has made a significant contribution to local arts and culture.
His granddaughter, Dr Vivian Baharalli, reflected on his passion for his country and culture. She noted that he worked to concretise indigenous language, myths and history by writing, collecting, documenting and researching.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock, who was christened by the Lokono priest, said he felt proud of the tradition and the work Bennett accomplished in pioneering the first Arawak dictionary in the 1950s, among several books on the culture of the indigenous people. He urged the artistic community and other interest groups to fuse Guyanese folklore into works that target the younger generation as well as develop their talent.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine issued a call for the return of music, art and creative work to the school system. He acknowledged that it requires lots of work if there is going to be transformation and urged parents to reinforce the work at home as they have the most hours with their children. He said he will facilitate conversations so that school children can experience the art exhibition.
Among other dignitaries at the opening was Speaker of the House Dr Barton Scotland.
The exhibition is open to the public and runs until September 30.
