Guyanese archaeologist and renowned artist Dr George Simon died yesterday after losing his battle with cancer. He was 73.
Simon died in Spain where he was residing. He will be cremated this afternoon and his wife is expected to return to Guyana with his ashes when the airport is reopened. It was Simon’s desire to have his ashes spread over the Kanuku Mountains.
Simon was born at the St Cuthbert’s Mission. He was one of the most revered artists of Guyana. He was also known for his achievements as an educator, his efforts to develop opportunities for Amerindian artists in Guyana, and for his work as an archaeologist.
Simon was the winner of a number of awards including the Golden Arrow of Achievement which he received in 1998 and the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in 2012.
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, in a statement posted on their Facebook page last evening, expressed condolences to the family and friends of Simon who they described as “a leading son of the soil”.
“The Ministry would like to extend condolences to the relatives and friends of the late George Simon, A.A. who has lost his battle to Cancer. George was Guyana’s leading Artist and
Anthropologist who has molded the career path of many Guyanese and artists around the world during his passionate career,” the Ministry said.
“George’s paintings, murals, and sculptures have been the sites of an intense personal dialogue with the diverse sacred and spiritual traditions of Guyana, as well as other countries in which he has lived over the years,” it added.
In a separate statement, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) said it is saddened by the passing of Simon.
“Dr George Simon, a great Lokono son of the soil, an artist, an archaeologist, a cultural ambassador, an indigenous brother who would have contributed significantly to the cultural tapestry of Guyana,” APA said.
Meanwhile, Presidential Can-didate for the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Lenox Shuman in a Facebook post last evening reflected on the memories he shared with Simon.
“He was the godfather to my second brother, Clarence Shuman. He had visited us several times in Canada and would always catch up with me, like so many others, when he was in Guyana. Many don’t know, but he was the only Archaeologist from Guyana and did extensive work on early indigenous Civili-zation in Guyana including the Berbice mounds,” Shuman said.
“His work is on constant display at the Timehri International Airport just on arrival as you ride the escalator down – and many other places,” he added.
Vibert Cambridge of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York said that a great son of Guyana has passed.
He noted on Facebook that in 2017, Simon was the recipient of the Lifetime Award from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York for his outstanding work as an artist and archeologist. For images from an exhibition curated in its virtual gallery in 2017, visit: https://guyfolkfest.org/george-simon/nggallery/thumbnails
“George, thanks for all the beauty that you gave us. Thanks for helping us be proud of our indigenous heritage. Rest in peace, George Simon. “The Guyana Cultural Association of New York extends our sincerest condolences to his family circle”, Cambridge said.