November 2009 Artist of the Month

Q) As a self- taught artist, your artistic adventure has taken you into a number of different cultures and experiences. Please elaborate for our readers what inspired you to create your piece, Long Walk Back to Spirit.

A] I have been in many different cultures and have had several experiences. I traveled to Australia for the Master Yidaki classes. As a result I learned how to pick a tree that was ready. I then had to chop it down and make instruments from scratch. I learned that their culture is very rich and diverse. As I walked about I noticed people painting, weaving and playing Yidakis. I was very inspired but what I saw. As a result, I asked for permission to do Aboriginal art once I returned to Bermuda. That is how I created Long Walk Back to Spirit.

Q) Freedom. This is a multi-media creation that is quite compelling. What was it that brought you to creating this 3 dimensional piece of art revolving around slavery?

A] As a young boy I had many talks with my Grandma about slavery. This aroused my curiosity concerning my history. As I became an artist I used art to express my feelings about ancestry. I learned that slaves were traded for coffee beans, for example. This is why I used burlap bags. As one can see there is no particular order depicting Freedom. As I took my walks I came across a piece of driftwood and used it to frame the piece.

Q) Integrated Crossroads is a beautiful representation of opposites (Black & White). This appears to be a perfect example of opposites attracting. Tell This Week what this piece means to you?

A] Integrated Crossroads is about the relationship between Black and White and the story beneath that. It also depicts the effects these relationships have on the children. It is at the Crossroads where we as a people must discuss and decide how we’ll arrive at our destination. While keeping in mind it is not destination it’s ………..the JOURNEY!!!!