– says his art has ‘an abstract twist’ and paintings ‘a graffiti influence’

By Ariana Gordon
HUMBLE beginnings did not deter Guyanese artist Kwesi Bovell from developing and showcasing his artistic talent. Bovell, the lone Guyanese artist to display work at the acclaimed Agora Gallery in New York says his art “takes on an abstract twist” and his paintings “have a graffiti influence.”

Speaking with the PepperPot during the fine arts exhibition at Agora, Bovell said New York was touted as being the art mecca of the world and “it would only be fair for me to have a show in the art mecca.”
He explained that after several enquiries and deliberations, he decided to have his work displayed at the prestigious gallery, as it is rated number five in the gallery ratings for 2015.
“It was a distinguished but humbling feeling to be amongst other artist from as far afield as Australia and Sweden and to especially meet the acclaimed CORDERO (Naiomi Cordero) in person and being not only the lone Guyanese but the first Guyanese to have exhibited there.”

It was a proud moment for Bovell and his family. Beaming as he told his story, the Guyanese artist, who resides in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) said showcasing his artwork at the prestigious Agora was not the end as he had plans to host art shows in Los Angeles and Europe come next year. But before that he would make appearances at Scope Miami and Art Basel.

Though he has his eyes on the world, Bovell has not forgotten his roots. He told this publication that he would eventually return to the land of his birth, but not before realising his personal goals.

The 39-year-old, a former Bishops’ High School and Burrowes School of Arts student, said he realised his artistic potential at a very early stage.
“I always found myself drawing in my spare time. Back then sketch pads were not readily available so I opted to use the white portions of the mass games books to do my sketches,” he said, reminiscing on what he called, “the good ole days.”
His sketches were so good that one titled, “Art on the Beach” done while he was in kindergarten school was hosted by the Ministry of Education at an event. “I was singled out for my creative demonstration,” he told the Pepperpot.
“I continued to create drawings throughout my primary school life and carried this over to Bishops’ High School where I got my secondary education. The art teacher at the time, the late Chicama Skeete, recognised my talent and continuously encouraged me to attend the E.R. Burrowes School of Art.”
Bovell took the advice of his late teacher and commenced classes in 1992. “I graduated valedictorian from the Burrowes School of Art in 1997 where I did sculpture as my major field of study and painting as my minor,” he said proudly.
After graduating from the Burrowes School of Arts, the artist pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Guyana before leaving for Botswana in 2003.

“While in Botswana I had the privilege of exhibiting with other artists, including a show at the national Henry Tayali Gallery in Lusaka, Zambia.”
But the artist, who is also an art teacher at the Vregado Flax Educational Centre (Secondary Division in the BVI where he currently resides), said nothing comes easy and it was through perseverance that he succeeded.
Growing up he remembered the struggle of his single parent mother and thought that there must be a way out. He said it was the hardships he suffered while growing up that made him vow to work hard and be successful.
The former Fifth Street, Albertown resident encouraged aspiring artists to “continue being creative and explore the boundless possibilities, using a recognisable and distinct language of your own since this is what sets us aside from the rest.”
“I remember all the hardships…the water fetching, the kerosene lines and more, but I was determined to succeed. There is much more to achieve and with time I am sure that I will attain my goals.”
Bovell says his art is created not only as a form of therapy but acts as an expressive mode of communication. “I marvel at the thought of viewers being captivated by the abstract chromatic juxtaposition in my paintings or even the spatial quality of my sculptures,” he said, noting that much of his early work was heavily influenced by the likes of Rufino Tamayo, Wassily Kandinsky and Salvador Dali.
“But more recently I embraced the graffiti style of painting on canvas. This style gives me the freedom and expression needed to produce work like no other style does,” he said.
Bovell’s work has been described by Agora Gallery as “dynamic”. Under the theme, ‘Modalities of Expression’ the Guyanese artist’s work was displayed from November 3 to 24. A press release from the gallery said Bovell’s work is “tension-laden compositions, and notable spatial elements that elevate his work to a new level of expressionism.”
“Combining a close attention to line and form with a “graffiti” approach to painting in his canvas work, Bovell creates dynamic pieces full of meaning in a style reminiscent of Warhol’s Pop Art of the early 1960s, but with an expanded level of intensity and a decidedly post-modernist bent. Colours add emotive aspects, drawing the viewer’s attention and introducing new layers of meaning into the already heavily symbolic work,” the press statement added.
His work was also dubbed “unique” as it is the “cross-cultural perspective he infuses into each two-dimensional and three-dimensional piece. Much of this comes from time spent in his native Guyana, three years in Africa, multiple years in the British Virgin Islands, and extensive time traveling.”
“The freeness of Bovell’s style combined with his worldly approach to the human experience enables him to “breathe a breath of new life into the ever-changing art scene.”
Bovell had on display four pieces of work, three acrylic and spray paintings and one sculpture.