Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne officially opened the annual Amerindian Art Exhibition and Fashion Show held at the Castellani House as part of ongoing celebrations for Amerindian Heritage Month.
During the feature address, Minister Browne expressed that “Art and culture define who we are as Indigenous people”.
The minister noted that it is important to provide a platform for these artists to express themselves and be recognized.
The exhibition features several Guyanese indigenous artists, including Ronald Taylor, Dillion Craig, Demion Mack, and Courtney Douglas. These renowned artists’ representations transcend the art industry.
Minister Browne expressed that we should encourage young people to pursue art despite the challenges, because creativity plays an important role in Guyana’s future.
She said showing Guyanese artists that they have their country and its people’s support is pertinent to preserving Guyana’s artistic culture.
Meanwhile, the exhibition also resonated with visitors and artists alike, who stressed the importance of preserving Guyana’s indigenous identity through art.
Makushi Artist Demion Mack highlighted that exhibitions like these are vital as many indigenous traditions, particularly languages, are slowly disappearing.
“If you go to my village, you won’t find a little child speaking Makushi anymore,” Mack said, noting that many communities have shifted almost entirely to English.
Through his fabric paintings and traditional-inspired designs, he hopes to encourage people to embrace and wear Indigenous art while keeping their culture alive.
Destiny Hinds, a visitor to the exhibition, described it as a powerful reminder of Guyana’s roots and the immense talent that exists across every region.
“I think it’s important because it connects us to what started our country in the first place,” she said, before stating that “Every fabric of what connects us to our heritage has to be a part of Guyanese culture.”
This year’s exhibition paid tribute to the late Anna Isles, whose decades of work helped strengthen indigenous communities and promote Amerindian art across Guyana.
Isles dedicated herself to coordinating the Amerindian Heritage Month Art Exhibition and supporting artists through the George Simon Project, ensuring Indigenous creatives had opportunities to showcase their work and share their stories.
Recognizing pioneers like Anna Isles is essential, as their quiet dedication laid the foundation for today’s generation of indigenous artists.
DPI
