Elated that his years of contribution to the arts in Guyana have resulted in national recognition, illustrator and graphic artist Barrington Braithwaite is continuing to press for proper legislation for the industry so that artists can benefit.
Last month on the occasion of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary, it was announced by President David Granger that Braithwaite and several others would be receiving National Awards for their long and dedicated service over the years.
Braithwaite was awarded the Medal of Service (MS) for his long and outstanding contributions in the arts, especially as an illustrator and folklorist. The MS is the fifth highest award of the Order of Service of Guyana. It is awarded for ten years of dedicated public service, local government service, service to industry, service to trade unions or other areas of service to the community.
“Lots of us are doing art out there and we don’t do it to get an award but this kind of helps. It helps to make us feel more confident that okay, there is a great vacuum but beyond the vacuum, there is some tower with people who are looking beyond the vacuum at what you are doing,” Braithwaite said in a recent interview with Stabroek News.
He is grateful for the award but pointed out that it does not necessarily translate to concrete opportunities. “An award by the state is one thing. That award is visible by me but is it visible to my bankers, to the people I am doing business with? What does it mean? Does it translate to the bureaucrats in the ministries whom you might be trying to get some kind of support from?” he questioned.
