PART 2
1990s – Public & Commercial Visual Art
Through exhibitions in public and commercial art galleries, numerous touring art shows , both in the UK and America, including popular restaurants in London.
From reviews and interviews in art magazines and newspapers, my work gained a lot of exposure. Many opportunities were presented. Curators took notice, Photographs and paintings were bought, and placed in private and public museums collections.
A daily operation, I was busy working at all levels. One of my best Art Invigilation memory, was the Pablo Picasso exhibition at the Royal Academy, London. Titled ‘Painter & Sculptor In Clay’ 1998. Mind Blowing! A Blockbuster Exhibition, I was there daily for the full length of the show- Invigilating. Wow Wow Wow!
MIXED MEDIA DRAWINGS
The broad themes and focus at the time, was centred on the cultures and social living in the African Caribbean Communities in the UK. Relating to the Human Condition, in all aspects of our humanity.
Considering my nature, one aspect of my art practice is visualisation. Making notes, I write down ideas.
Sketching and drawing, would come later, after the visualising gained clarified meanings.
I Utilised the visualised ideas as a source, and starting point to begin making work in my art practice.
Creative Practice
Becoming more mature in my outlook, I viewed life in this manner. Species – Human. Political – Black. Cultural & Social – Diaspora. Origin – Africa. Mind – Private & Personal God Consciousness.
My origin, culture, identity, social realities, and my art practice. Represented a tiny portion of my humanity, among the 8 billion of us living on the planet called Earth.
I consider a work to be completed, when confronted by viewers. Success is achieved with those who are able to see, and fully understand it. Having a sense of what is observed.
Making deep connections, and feeling the emotions contained in the image, as an added bonus.
By 1996 I moved to Jamaica, continuing my art practice there. I was represented by Mutual Gallery in Kingston. I also began writing a Arts & Culture column, in the Sunday Gleaner, a broadsheet newspaper.
It was during this time, that I fully understood what Andy Warhol meant, when he spoke about “15 minutes of fame.” After completing a TV Exhibition on Morning Time talk show, I was no longer an ordinary person practicing art.
Everyone, including family and relatives, assumed I was now rich and famous. The shock of it, generated a lot of stress and paranoia. It was difficult for me to walk on streets and not be recognised. I was even warned about planned kidnapping, and demand for ransom. The superficiality of it all, made me realise this was not my route.
My involvement with the Spoken Word Performance Troupe ‘Dub Traffickers, did not make it any easier. I lost a lot of things, and nearly my way during that period. After two and half years, I left the Island, being unsure, what next?
Mixed Media Drawings & Paintings
Africa via London
I returned to London in 1998, and began living the life of a nomad. Living as best as I can, wherever I happened to be. In that same year I continued my excursions to Africa, and found my way to the city of Addis Ababa. I stayed there for over 5 months, during the rainy season and after. It was then, I began to visualise the work, which years after became ‘ People In A Poetic Landscape.
I resided and maintained a studio in Addis Ababa, for over a decade. Previous sales of my work outside Africa, compelled me to not participate in the Visual Art commercial market place. I started a book publishing business, with a specialist in art and culture. Other activities included, membership of a spoken word performance group – Zemnageda Adinet.
