Dear Editor,
As the principal organiser of the Guyana United Artists (GUA), I have to interface with grassroots artists regularly, and for too long have our artists, now pensioners, lived in an uncertain state of existence. Some of the artists have scores of paintings and sculptures that are in cold storage. They are broke, simply put, they have no money to buy canvas, paints. Genuine creative ideas are aborted for lack of a little funding and marketing.
I am tasked to write these horror stories of the plight of senior Guyanese artists so that the younger artists will enjoy better conditions from our pioneering efforts.
Our situation took a turn for the worsewhen the Minister of Culture Dr Frank Anthony, under the PPP government, favoured a small group of artists from the Creative Arts Division, University of Guyana. Based on race and party loyalty, they were given the contracts for public works, plus their salaries, which created a wide gap in the artists community with grass-root artists struggling desperately to survive and still produce artistic gems for public display while, on the other hand, these few artists became elites, built themselves houses and purchased new cars.
The irony of it all is when the APNU+AFC came into government this situation did not change! It is the same “PPP boys” whose works were purchased for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport while we are left with prize-winning paintings and sculptures in our possession. How can this be right? Since then these “leading artists” have taken up residence in the USA while grass-root artists, who have given their golden years and have served this country with distinction for over four decades, are poor people who do not own their homes much less studios.
In January of this year, two of our senior artists died in abject poverty and neglect. The case of Winston Strict, one of the most prolific Guyanese artists, who returned from the USA to serve his country, is shameful and reprehensible. He died in an abandoned house with no electricity or water. And what of Mervin Phillip, he didn’t fare any better. Had he the money to procure proper medical attention, he would have been alive today and would have given more service to the Guyanese nation. And what of Johnny Braff the legend. I grew up in a time when his songs were hits on the radio, at house parties and internationally; he paved the way for other Guyanese artists. He died at the East La Penitence Night Shelter.
I was earlier this year cautioned at a public forum by a “big stick” to stop “talking up” or I will not benefit from the oil/gas projects that are tabled for the Visual Arts. Our problem stems from want of a little courage. I have since written to the caretaker government for a grant to be given to the senior artists who have served our country with distinction most of their lives. It is a grave injustice that these artists be abandoned in their senior years.
Yours faithfully,
Desmond Alli
General Secretary – GUA
