Keisha Beharry

“I live to love and I love to create.”

That’s the motto of 19-year-old Keisha Beharry, or as she is known in the art world- ‘Klei’.
“As part of loving, I definitely find happiness and fulfillment in creating,” she said.
And, as far as creating goes, she’s into painting, sculpting, and photography- which, by the way, includes all type of media. Acrylic and oil paintings, clay sculptures, wire sculptures, sawdust sculptures, graphic photographic art, installation art and fashion- you name it, she probably does it.

Her paintings explore Surrealism, Abstract, Semi Abstract and Fauvism.
However, she stressed: “I do not practice realism outside of studying (meaning, for works that do not sell) because I find no catharsis, expression, passion or joy from mimicking what God has already created- unless I change a lot about the subject!”
Added to that, she just doesn’t create art that is pretty, Klei shared that her art is aimed at promoting social awareness and social justice on a myriad of themes (though, it is also pretty!).

“I am an artist whose themes involve love, togetherness, chronic illness, veganism, children’s rights, advocacy for animal rights, women’s rights, family life, and maternal love,” she said.
But even though she creates art to promote social justice and those efforts are geared at providing some recourse to people, she says that the art saves her as well.
“I can honestly not live without it, my life or identity would be utterly and entirely different,” Beharry highlighted. “Art isn’t just a job for me, it is therapy.”

Before discovering her therapy though, she never really thought that she could be talented in the field. In fact, she grew up watching her sister drawing and painting and her brother involved in photography but never felt like she was artistic.
But then one random day, Keisha said that she just felt something burning in her chest. It was the urge to pick up the pastels and the paintbrushes and just start creating deep and meaningful art.

She was a term behind the art class but the teacher allowed her to join anyways and so began her journey in art. As she honed her skills in art she pursued professional development. Resultantly, she pursued an Associate’s Degree in Fine Art at the University of Guyana (UG) after graduating from the Marian Academy in 2016. In 2018, she completed that degree programme.

But her development also extended to her mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. For her, the aim is a strike a balance among the three.
“[Overall health] is so important to me because it feeds my artistic identity predominately. Many may think it is a born talent that feeds my passion, and it is true to an extent, but being healthy overall makes my mind and soul completely inspired and motivated,” Klei explained.

According to her, fostering holistic health isn’t that hard when you come to realise that boosting one aspect contributes to your overall health.
And in fostering this, she strives to eat healthily (she’s a transitioning vegan); practises yoga, meditation, and her religious beliefs; embodying kindness as much as possible- and of course, creating meaningful art.

“Art feeds my mind, body and soul, and without it, varying aspects of my life suffer. Therefore art is particularly important to me for maintaining that balance. I believe that I was created to create and spread art and love,” Keisha highlighted.

Imaginably, she doesn’t like when people are close-minded to art and it bugs her when they are negligent to the earth and animals. It’s just part of her groove.
“However, I moved pass that, and spread love and art everywhere I can,” she said. “I strive not to be unique, or different. I strive to be loving, to be patient, kind, and to help others. Part of helping others, I refer to animals as well, those who are without voice or defense in today’s world.”

Professionally, she related that she is super-driven and passionate about cultivating a rich, diverse and welcoming art community in Guyana. Of critical importance to her, is welcoming young artists and recognising their individual and unique talents and cultivating those.