Master Art
The greatest artist I have known
An awesome God whose work is shown
From north to south and east to west
His work of art, it is the best!

Man’s imagination He has long surpassed
The creation of man His complex task
A composition made out of dust
To walk in his image should be a must

Being an artist can be a great blessing
Having the ability to create something
From wood and clay or even sawdust
To be a sculptor I need some thrust

With a throw on the wheel or a pinch with my hand
I join the Greatest Potter’s band
To weave a masterpiece that people can wear
And Transform plain fabric into something so rare

Wall hangings and things for viewers to admire
In hope that I’ll have a future buyer
The process of art is no easy task
Will these pieces really last? They ask.

Cowhide and sheepskin go through transformation
to make slippers and bags for our admiration
Cartoons and commercials are done with animation
And posters communicate information.

The pictures I take preserve memories that last
And fashion designers bring back styles from the past
Don’t question the artist about the functions of art
Just look ‘round you – of creation it’s a part.

Whether imagination or observation
Drawing or painting an abstract composition
I dare say my main source of inspiration
Will always come from God’s creation

The Master of the arts will always be,
My Heavenly Father – He created me!
By Aiesha Scottland

For my first column, I was asked to introduce myself. I figured I’d switch things up a bit and bless you with my poetry. Master Art not only reveals my passion for art but also gives insight into my faith. Both of which are the very representation of who I am. My name is Aiesha Scottland. I am a multi-talented individual with a passion for the creative industry. I graduated with a Diploma in Textile Design from the E.R.Burrowes School of Art. I also have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Guyana. I am currently a member of two local artists groups: the Guyana Women Artists’ Association (GWAA) and the Guyana Creative Business Co-op Society (GCBCS). I enjoy writing: scriptwriting, story writing and poetry. I also taught visual arts for six and a half years at Christ Church Secondary. While I enjoyed my season of teaching, where the students’ love and appreciation for the arts grew, I was torn knowing that the creative industry is underdeveloped and that their dreams may not be realised. Quite a few of my students have gone on to tertiary art education and even became artists themselves. I wish to use this platform as a means of developing the creative industry.
Guyana’s Ingenuity will be a space where Guyanese creativity takes centre stage; where our artists’ reflection of our history, beliefs and aspirations are examined. It is a space where artists and developments in the creative industry are recognised and where art education takes place.

In education in a multicultural world, the noted educator Ernest Boyer (1928-1995) proposed that there are eight universal cultural concepts shared across time by people throughout the world. Four of which I will share with you. First, we are all connected through our ability to use symbols. Second, everyone responds to aesthetic. Third, we all engage in producing and consuming, though far too many of us are preoccupied with consumption and have very little understanding of production. And finally, all of us seek meaning and purpose.

What is the purpose of art? Art has an innate ability to create an appreciation of diversity in a multicultural society. Does art have meaning? Well, that varies from the artist to the observer. Art is everywhere and in everything. Can you imagine a world without art? But wait, did I just say imagine? Hmmm, sounds a lot like art already. Don’t you think?
The culture and creative industries are imperative to Guyana’s development. Did you know that Guyana’s culture and creative industries exemplify our domestic manufacturing and ingenuity? Yet a vast majority of our economy is not built on producing creative things. It’s time for this to change.

The fact remains that journalism can propel an arts ecosystem in vibrant and culturally diverse communities such as Guyana. It’s refreshing to know that local audiences crave information about shifting culture in their communities and about what exhibit or show they should visit.

Guyana’s Ingenuity is a weekly publication covering topics relating to the arts and culture. Join me weekly to learn about happenings in the creative industry.
Aiesha Scottland is a trained artist and former art educator.