Artist Sameer Khan on mission to make a difference
Sameer Khan in one of his many creative designs
Sameer Khan in one of his many creative designs

IF you are a fan of the arts and support the endeavours that underpin it, then here is a tale to delight the heart.

Contrary to perceptions that the arts may not be sweat-inducing, physical labour, grind, determination, persistence and self-belief are all part of it.

Sameer Khan’s creative work on display in the Giftland Mall

Furthermore, what is seen, enjoyed and read, is merely the icing on the creative cake; the tip of the artistic iceberg and this is the path of artist and designer, Sameer Khan.
In trying to satisfy his hunger in the creative world, Khan came from humble beginnings and was born and raised in the beautiful county of Essequibo.
The 28-year-old is the youngest of three siblings.
Growing up, he faced and overcame many challenges, as his father, an alcoholic, was a taxi driver and his mother, a seamstress and a housewife.

“I always have a great desire and passion for the arts and craft and my mother was my biggest fan and supporter. I received my very first certificate award for drawing, in an Easter competition in 1998, at the tender age of seven. This boosted my vision to learn more in the arts and in my free time, I’ve always created craft pieces,” he said.

Khan, who lost his father at age of 13, said at that age, he also received his second certificate award in 2005 for his participation in the “Celebration of 100 years of rice” art competition.

“I’ve also received awards in competitions such as in 2005, I was awarded third place certificate/prize in the ‘Ethnic relations Commission’ poster competition; in 2006, the grand prize and national winner in the “Fern leaf draw for a prize” art competition; in 2007, G.A.M.L.A.T Spanish, art poster competition; in 2008, I awarded second place in G.R.D.B logo competition,” he reflected.

Within the last decade, Khan has an accolade for every year, which started with his completion of high school in 2008, then joining the CARIFESTA 10 technical theatre training programme to train and assist many in the hinterland communities in career-building in the field of the arts.

ALWAYS HELPFUL

Creative shoes and jewellery designs created by Sameer Khan

“I’m interested in helping young people and the lesser fortunate in enhancing or developing their dream career, and to continue volunteering to create a web or link of people who can also give back. My struggles and hard work over the past years have paid off significantly, and now it is my time to give back,” he said.

Some of the areas that he has mastered are drawing (portraits, mixed media), painting (portraits, mixed media), graphic design (logos, signs, banners, posters, cards, etc), textile design (applique, stenciling, tie dye, discharge, printing), makeup (theatre, Carnival, Halloween and all events), decorative craft (ornaments, jewelry etc), costume design (theatre, carnival, Halloween etc), model art (creating replicas etc), fashion design (new trends/stylist), cake decorating, floral decorating/arrangements, interior/exterior design and decors (homes, businesses, occasions) and poetry writing and illustrations.

“I intend to take singing as my new added talent to the list as the year 2019 has begun. I believe that the arts generally has no stopping point or no ‘one’ way to follow. Sometimes we all need to search ourselves mentally, and explore our skills and abilities in every possible way,” he said

Khan continued: “Don’t let situations keep you cornered or bottled up, but instead, acknowledge all obstacles and pressure, and let that be the energy and fuel to power us and keep us moving forward. It was the many hard struggles and situations that I had to face and live through and overcome to get to my success. But, more is never enough, and I will strive to learn and do more in time ahead.”

For a number of years, he worked with Theatre Guild and the National Cultural Centre. In 2010, he got the opportunity to work on the production of a US film, The Festival of Lights.
SETBACKS

Continuing on this rollercoaster ride, Sameer said his support system got a bit smaller with the unexpected loss of his mother and later his sister. He, however, noted that with the love of friends and other family members, his career has gone past his expectations.
He said currently, he is seeking volunteers and companies to get on board in supporting and sponsoring volunteer projects. For many creative individuals, art is only a hobby or something they do on the side, instead of an income-earning talent. But in 2019, Guyanese artists will see the introduction of a pilot project to fund the work of excited, driven individuals with project ideas.

Sameer Khan displays one of his many Halloween costume designs

The Pilot National Creative Industries Development Fund will be managed by the Department of Culture.

The project was added to the Budget 2019 roster and has been allocated $20M. A core objective of the fund is to recognise and reward individuals and entities involved in the development of the creative industry in Guyana.

The categories to which funding will be considered are Dance (company, individual), Music (group/publisher, individual), Theatrical Performance (group, individual), Film & Animation (collaborative only), Visual Arts and Photography (collaboration, individual), Literary Arts (publisher, individual), Fashion (collaborative, individual), Creative Spaces and Creative Collaborations.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.