By Gibron Rahim

“MAKE your chosen career a way of life, a voyage of discovery and a search for excellence that never ends.”

The words above were the mantra of the late Stephanie Correia, A.A., one of Guyana and the Caribbean’s greatest artists. As Indigenous Heritage Month nears its end, we would do well to remember that the heritage of our Indigenous peoples deserves respect and celebration beyond this time set aside each year. It is a part of them even as we are all part of one nation. That heritage is clearly reflected in the pieces on display at this year’s Heritage Art Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art.

Each year, the Heritage Art Exhibition pays homage to remarkable figures of Indigenous descent who have made a significant contribution to Guyana and honoured their heritage. Last year’s exhibition paid tribute to Sister Theresa La Rose. The figure chosen this year was the late Stephanie Correia A.A. (1930-2000).

Stephanie’s father was the late Stephen Campbell, the first Amerindian to be elected to the then British Guyana’s Legislative Council on September 10, 1957. The significance of that date was one of the main reasons that September was chosen as Indigenous Heritage Month. Stephanie was born on April 28, 1930, the third of nine children born to her father and Umblina Campbell, who was a daughter of Portuguese immigrants from Madeira.

Growing up in a farming community, she learnt essential skills from helping her family with chores. She and her siblings also learnt embroidery, knitting, weaving, sewing, painting and drawing.

Her artistic ability was evident at an early age, as was her intelligence. Stephanie attended the Martindale Roman Catholic Primary School where she was appointed Pupil Teacher at the age of 14. She went on to attend the Guyana Teacher’s Training College in Georgetown in 1950 from which she graduated two years later as a Class 1 Trained Teacher. E.R.

Burrowes himself was her art tutor during her years at college. Stephanie graduated at the head of her class of 24 students, winning the Bain Gray Prize for most outstanding student. She taught for a year at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic School and then at the St. Joseph School in Mabaruma, after graduation.

After her marriage to Vincent Correia in 1955, Stephanie resigned from teaching and accompanied her husband, whose work for the Interior Department took him to various locations in Guyana. Stephanie would make sketches of the rock paintings, petroglyphs and hieroglyphs found in the places she visited. She also wrote down the legends and stories of the people she encountered. She researched and studied extensively and this is reflected in her artwork. But it was her own individual style of artistic expression that marked her work as unique. She was awarded the Medal of Service (M.S.) in 1980 and the Golden Arrow of Achievement (A.A.) in 1996.

This year’s exhibition featured the works of artists of all ages. The Moving Circle of Artists, formed by Mr. George Simon, was responsible for the exhibition as was noted by Mr. Anil Roberts, Principal Regional Development Officer (RRDO) within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, when he spoke to the Pepperpot Magazine. “This year we have brought along some young artists, some who would have graduated from [E.R. Burrowes School of Art] last year and also some who have now graduated from the art school,” Roberts said.

Those artists he named included Jerry Marco, Ransford Simon, Wilkie George and Nigel Butler, who all graduated last year, as well as Laurindo John, who is graduating this year.

Roberts noted that John’s pieces had been on display at an exhibition at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art. It is some of those pieces that were moved to Castellani House for the Heritage Art Exhibition.

The pieces on display at the Heritage Art Exhibition show the differences in the artistic choices and styles of the artists who created them. Stephanie Correia’s works are prominently displayed. Her use of delicate watercolours combined with narrative and attention to detail, exemplify the reason she is considered one of Guyana and the Caribbean’s greatest artists. Jerry Marco’s pieces continue to display his undeniable talent, even as he experiments with different subjects.

Nigel Butler’s piece titled “Ancestors” can only be described as stunning. Other notable pieces include Wilkie George’s piece “The Chief”, made of carving leather, which displays a beautiful use of an uncommon medium while Ransford Simon’s mixed media piece “Nature’s Gift” which is wonderfully lifelike. Desmond Alli’s “Art in Resistance” series of pieces is a good example of art that possesses both beauty and purpose.

Also notable are Deborah Mathias’ three jewellery pieces titled “Atlantis”, “Mayan” and “Pompei”. The intricately beaded necklaces are works of art themselves. Indigenous craft pieces were also on display at the exhibition.

The Heritage Art Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art opens on weekdays from 10:00hrs to 16:30hrs and runs until September 29.