Dear Editor,
I am very saddened to learn of the death of George Simon.
George was a good friend and a wonderful person. I never failed to feel more alive and hopeful after being with him.
He was surely one of Guyana’s greatest artists. I will never forget visiting the Umana Yana to view his great Exhibition of twelve paintings of the Essequibo. My experience of awe and wonder was not less than when I viewed displays of Turner at the Tate Gallery in London or an exhibition of Van Goghs seen in Paris or great Renaissance paintings in Rome. In the presence of genius the quiet gloom of the Umana Yana that late afternoon was sacred.
One of those twelve beautiful paintings has a place of honour at our home. It is among my most precious possessions.
I offer deep sympathy to George’s widow, family and friends
Yours faithfully,
Ian Mc Donald.
