Diversity of origins
The Amerindian remains are of exceptional aesthetic richness. The oldest ceramics belong to the Koriabo style. This style, associated with the Karibe immigration phase of the 12th century, is characterized by ornamental incisions, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic motifs of fantastic inspiration. The Ariste period, from the 15th to the 17th century, is marked by an elaborate funerary art: polychrome decoration and geometric motifs underline the figures adorning the funerary urns of this period.
Today, seven Amerindian peoples live in French Guiana, including the Wayanas and the Apalais. Rooted in their cultures, the art of the sky box born in the 19th century has become an emblem of Guyanese culture. Although symbolic, it has recently become popularized in two ways. A myth is at the origin of this pictorial tradition. It tells of a man who goes hunting and gets lost in the forest. Attracted by music, he approaches and is invited by an old man to drink cachiri. The old man introduces him to the motifs of the hut's sky, especially the aquatic monsters, which one must not look at too much or one will be devoured.
Among the many aquatic monsters of Wayana mythology, the most famous is the tulupele. Half caterpillar, half jaguar, it prevented access to the river until the Indians made peace and joined forces to fight the creature. Other animals from the Wayana bestiary embellish the hut sky alongside the mythical warriors: the coumarou fish, the toad, the hen, the anteater, the turtle or the snake.
Endowed with magical powers, these works participate in the protection of the community. This is why the Wayana do not approve of non-initiated people making hut skies. Preserving this art remains a crucial issue in Guyana.
Art Tembé
The Bushinengé, also known as "black-browns", are descended from African slaves who fled the colonial estates of Suriname between the mid-17th and late 18th centuries. Black-brown art, or tembé, originates in Guyana as well as in Suriname. It includes painting and sculpture, which are the prerogative of men; Tembe sewing is practiced by women. Tembe art was first used to decorate everyday objects before moving on to paintings. However, the motifs as well as their meaning do not change. In traditional weddings, the bride and groom present their wives with a tembe made of interlacing as a sign of their commitment.
The first Maroon sculptures date back to the beginning of the 19th century: combs, paddles and wooden benches for the most part. It is above all an art of relief. For this reason, the tool is considered as the founding element of the tembé. Without the tool, woodcarving would not exist. Maroon art, far from being a primitive art, now integrates technology by adopting the chainsaw in sculpture or motors in its dugouts. From their first manifestations, in the 20th century, Tembe paintings are in line with woodcarving by using the motif of interlacing combined with geometric variations.
The Guyanese painter Franky Amete is representative of Tembe art. He describes himself as a bridge between traditional and modern art.Nowadays
In the small Guyanese art galleries, one finds a mix of modern and traditional works. Guyanese artists, born or adopted, confront their visions of the world in places open to all. The Henri and Marcelle Prévot cultural house in Cayenne has thus highlighted the painter Bimo, originally from Benin, but established in French Guiana. His paintings, sculptures and dressed characters tell stories full of emotion on the theme of the complexity of human relationships. Bimo uses all kinds of materials, recycling them to create colourful works, predominantly yellow, his favourite colour.
The K'AN Art Gallery also has a workshop for those who wish to learn the techniques of drawing, modelling or painting. Painter and sculptor, Pat K'an graduated from the Ecole Boulle in 1976. But it is in self-taught that he learns woodcarving. Settled in France, he develops an activity of animal artist while continuing his exploration of the human figure. Arrived in Guyana in 1995, seduced by the variety of the local species, he takes up woodcarving again. He opened a showroom which he then transformed into an art gallery designed to promote artists from Guyana and elsewhere.
The Beninese contemporary artist Rafiy Okefolahan presented in his premises the exhibition "KARNAVAL" which includes brightly coloured paintings. Trained in Dakar, Rafiy defines himself as a multidisciplinary artist. His work is highlighted by several European and African galleries and seduces collectors in search of tomorrow's talents.Outside the walls
The very young Atip'art festival is organized by the city in collaboration with the association Muzé Laru. It is the first street art event in Guyana. On this occasion, creative workshops are held in the Simko district in Macouria. The artists collaborated with the participants to make a cubic sculpture exposed in the city. This is an unexpected opportunity for young Guyanese to learn about painting and its techniques alongside experienced artists. The street artist Nicolas Quillot alias Scimo likes to teach them how to transfer natural elements, in the manner of an inverted stencil.
Under the direction of experienced graffiti artists, the young Guyanese have embellished the Antoine Sylvère Félix college in Soula. The artists Azer formed in Guadeloupe and Doudou Style, one of the few women in the field, participated. In his famous trompe-l'oeil, Doudou Style likes to slip pandas, his totem animal.
Don't miss the Hors les Murs exhibitions at the Museum of Guyanese Cultures. The public was able to admire the photographs of Frédéric Piantoni. His portraits tell the story of people who have come to live in French Guiana, while his panoramas highlight the charms of this little-known land. An excellent first approach to Guyana.
