A painting from a young artist triggered social media outrage this week. The painting, which depicted the first family, President Irfaan Ali, his wife Arya Ali and their son, also depicted a mother, baby and a little girl of African ancestry. The first family were depicted as the president holding his son in the background, while the face of the First Lady is emphasized in the foreground. The first family are staring ahead and smiling. At the left of the First Lady’s depiction are the mother holding her baby and the little girl staring at the First Lady. The woman could be interpreted as being on her knees or sitting while the girl’s bended knees and back give the impression of servility. The little girl is also holding a brown paper bag with the words ‘One Guyana’ and the First Lady’s name printed on it. It looks like she is waiting for a handout.
It was revealed that the artist was inspired by two pictures. A picture of the First Lady visiting a woman who had just given birth at the hospital and another picture of an orphan who received a gift from the First Lady.
While some thought that the painting was beautiful, others were incensed. I had many questions. I wondered about the artist’s intent. The little girl and woman staring in admiration of the First Lady reminded me of efforts to debase women and girls of African descent while elevating women of other ethnicities. I tried to look at the painting objectively, but every interpretation perturbed me.
The artist apologized for the way his work was received. He chose to change the painting by removing the mother, baby and little girl.
Many questioned the outrage. Why make everything about race? Why must people of African descent often regard themselves as being targeted or victims?
The power of self is knowing who you are. The power of a people when they know who they are and are focused commands respect.
But are the reactions to the painting unwarranted? If any image in Guyana portrays one ethnic group as being dominant, while other groups are subservient, would there not be cause for conversations and a right of those depicted poorly to be angry? Do some of our people believe that by their religion, culture and history they are superior to others?
It is just a painting some may argue, but if people can display their bias, and if discrimination goes unchecked, those who care to deliberately target and offend will continue to cause harm and further the divide while contributing to the decline of the world. People of African descent have emerged from a history of discrimination, stigmatization and dehumanization. The outrage was not just about the painting.
The outrage is about the tensions that many would rather not acknowledge or even believe exist. It is about the brush that paints a group as being poor, subservient or waiting for handouts. It is about the reminder of the politicians engaging in short-term projects like handing out gifts to the needy while efforts to bridge the gap between the rich and poor and to eliminate poverty are still to be realised. It is about politicians being portrayed as the saviours of the people instead as being servants of the people. It is about the Anti-Blackness that many have been speaking about, including the firing of people, most of whom are of African descent, since last August and with no justifiable reason in this so-called ‘One Guyana.’ The outrage is about the alleged discrimination by financial institutions who burden people of African descent with more interests and fees. It is about these attempts to make Guyanese second-class citizens in their own country. It is about the prejudice that is passed from generation to generation.
It is about the stereotypes about the Black family. We are not all from broken families where Black men have abandoned their children. Single parents are not just from one group in Guyana. Marriage is not only common in one ethnic group.
It must be noted that in analyzing the painting while comparing it with the pictures from which it was inspired many noted that the woman in the picture was wearing a ring that would indicate that she was a married woman. But there was no ring in the painting which would give the impression that she was a single mother. Had the father of the baby been present in the painting to establish a balance between the first family and an ordinary Guyanese family perhaps the reactions would have been different.
And, though those of Indian and African ancestry are the two major ethnic groups, we are not the only peoples that make up this country. A person looking at the painting with no context could conclude that the order here is that that there are two ethnic groups while one is dominant and the other subservient.
Perhaps the artist did not think that all these interpretations could be had while creating the painting. His intention apparently was simply to showcase the work of the First Lady. But that is not what the painting accomplished.
Art is about freedom of expression. Artists are vessels used to depict our stories. Artists influence the perception of the masses. Art inspires conversation. Artists must use their intellect and be clear about the message they are sending through their work. We must be cognizant of the society in which we are working and acknowledge the struggles and vulnerabilities of the people. The painting was successful in stimulating uncomfortable conversations about race relations and the current state of our country. We cannot dictate how the artist should express themselves but if a piece of art makes us uncomfortable or angry it is our right to question and share our thoughts.
The conversations around the painting further revealed who we are and where we are. There is distrust. There are stereotypes. People are tired of being disrespected. People want equality and for the politicians to serve all our interests without bias.
But it is also revealed that we are one in many ways, such as love, understanding and compassion. It was not only people of African descent who expressed their disappointment in the piece of art, but others also. There are those who see beyond the barriers of colour and ethnicity. They are the ones in which hope lies for Guyana.
Every group of people should focus on empowerment. When we are unified, proud and sure of ourselves, others will have no choice but to respect and honour us.
