With over 600 individual pieces of work in storage and numerous others on display at his home local artist Jorge Bowenforbes searches daily for a gallery to showcase his work.
The accomplished artist spoke with The Scene recently where he proudly discussed some of his pieces and the inspiration behind his drive to bring back the appreciation of the dying visual arts art form among Guyanese.
Bowenforbes informed that after living in the United States for over 44 years, as a practicing artist, he was encouraged to return home, by the late Janet Jagan, to edify and give motivation to aspiring visual artists. He credits Mrs Jagan with spotting his potential when in his early teens he had produced some work, casually. She then took on the task of promoting him and he became known throughout the country for his fine skill.
The National Art Gallery, with which Jagan was closely associated, is now sidelining him, Bowenforbes claims, since he is yet to get a date to hold a solo exhibition.
After listening to the artist’s accent and judging his gentleman-like mode of dress, one would think he lived in Britain those 44 years. Throughout his interview with The Scene, the artist remained composed and focused only checking periodically to see if his signature Basque wool beret remained in position.
Perusing photos of his artwork, while listening to descriptions of the paintings, one would recognize Bowenforbes immense range. Having garnered some 250 international awards from places ranging from the Allied Artists of America (Gold and Silver medals of honour), the American Water Color Society and Global Knickerbocker Artists among several others, his pride in his considerable artistic laurels is justified.
He says he draws inspiration from early memories of Guyanese fishermen and coupled with his fertile imagination transforms it on canvas using oil paint. Holding a painting titled ‘Ancient Mariners’, he said “I love fishermen, have always seemed captivated by them and when I went overseas the nostalgia for Guyana came through my artwork of fishermen. I wanted to remember Guyana so all the paintings in fishermen series have a name incorporating a place in Guyana.”
Leaving Guyana for the US as a recognized water colour artist, Jorge soon realized the hardships faced by artists in a country with thousands trying to make it in an industry where only the highly recognized and unique pieces stand out. He soon traded watercolours for oil and canvas and began working using what no other artists had – experience with local fishermen. This worked to his favour since his own deployment of unusual patterns and striking placements of the fishermen placed him in the forefront of his colleagues.
He said, “When I left Guyana I was noted as a water colourist. However when I arrived in the United States of America I could not compete with the many …so I decided to come up with my own style that was how I made a name for myself. Using fishermen in abstract mode all are imaginative in my unusual presentations.”
Jorge hopes that budding artists and art lovers would be captivated by his artwork since he wants the pieces to evoke in them a sense of imagination, reflection and purpose whether they are here or visiting their homeland.
Explaining his somewhat unique surname Bowenforbes explained that it is a combination of his mother’s and father’s surnames. To some the chosen combination might seem unconventional for a man but the artist said, “I want to pay homage to both my parents. You see, women today use a hyphen when keeping their name and using their spouse’s name so I wanted to be distinct. I chose the American way, getting rid of the hyphen altogether.”
The artist who said he is “old enough to do everything”, explained that he refrains from disclosing his age because in Guyana there seems to be a gerontophobia epidemic.
In ending the artist said before it is too late he prays that he would be given the opportunity to showcase his talent and in the best way he can give back to the country of his birth.
