Mayan heritage
Belize's ethnic diversity translates into a cultural mosaic. Among the civilizations that forged its identity, the Mayan communities are still very much present.
The Mayan civilization, which originated in Yucatan, is renowned for its advances in architecture, mathematics, writing, astronomy and the arts. It flourished from 2600 B.C. to the 16th century A.D., in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize. Despite all the archaeological finds, the Maya civilization has not yet revealed all its secrets. Objects are linked to sacred rites, notably ceremonial masks. Jade, a symbol of life and fertility, was the sacred stone par excellence.
Several sites in Belize have revealed Mayan remains. Among the most impressive, theAltun Ha site features a village surrounding a temple in a verdant setting. the "Rock of the Pond" is famous for the 300 jade objects it contains, including a multitude of sculptures. The famous head of the sun god Kinich Ahau was found in a tomb in the temple of the "Masoned Altars". Weighing in at 4.40 kilos, it is the largest Mayan sculpture ever discovered. Legend has it that the solar deity, who became the symbol of a people, came to consume the offerings every day at noon.
The city of Lamanai is unique in that it has been occupied for over three millennia. The city of the "crocodile under water" is home to the jaguar temples and famous masks. The faces carved along the bas-reliefs of the pyramids are of remarkable quality.
The ancient city of Caracol ("the snail"), prominent in its day, is one of Belize's best-preserved Mayan sites. Located in the heart of the Chiquibul nature reserve in the Cayo district, it covers more than 10,000 hectares. From the top of its 43-metre-high temple, the view over the jungle is unforgettable. In the past, the exceptional acoustics enabled the chiefs to broadcast their messages to the 100,000 inhabitants of the warrior city without too much strain.
Modern panorama
Many of Belize's artists are self-taught and inspired by the environment. Their colorful styles are set against the backdrop of Belize's lush flora and fauna. Paintings, sculptures on slate or wood, textile art and furniture are deeply imbued with the country's history. Another common denominator among these creators is the desire to bring joy. And for this, art can be bought and exhibited on the roadside as well as in art galleries.
Among the contemporary figures, Pen Cayetano shows his universal art in his studio-gallery in Dangriga. His frescoes and paintings on canvas are for him, like music, a means of sharing and transmitting his art to as many people as possible. Walter Castillo paints landscapes in shimmering colors brimming with energy. Born in Nicaragua, Castillo began exhibiting in England in the 1990s. He has since settled in Bullet Tree Falls, Cayo District, where he welcomes art lovers to his studio. Marcos Larios has made a name for himself painting signs for shopkeepers. With his colorful scenes and underwater views, the artist hopes to brighten up everyday life. He also runs the Ambergris Art Gallery, located in the SunBreeze Hotel.
A native of Colorado since 1977, Carolyn Carr draws her themes from local traditions. For her, art is a reflection of the spirit and soul of a people, an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
The talents of today and tomorrow are represented by the Image Factory Art Foundation, (91 North Front Street, Belize City). Original events are hosted here, such as Richard Holder's experiment in combining music with his photographic art. Born in 1974, Holder studied art in the United States. On his return, he specialized in the female nude. He creates photographic portraits on commission.
London-born Lindsey Hackston fell in love with Belize over thirty years ago. She soon decided that the country needed an art gallery that would provide a showcase for local artists. The Belizean Arts Gallery remains very active in local art. Lindsey also likes to make room for Caribbean and Latin American art. A variety of styles, often warm and welcoming, and even jewelry, to discover in San Pedro.
Art for all
Visual art is an integral part of Belize's many street festivals. The Placencia Sidewalk Art Festival and the Belize City Street Fest are an annual feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds.
In 2009, Debra Wilkes Gray founded Art in the Park in Corozal, an annual event open to all creators. The gathering is a unique opportunity for the community to meet all that Belize has to offer in terms of craft and artistic creativity, as well as musical and culinary creativity.
As of 2017, Debra Wilkes Gray's new mission is to bring an appreciation of street art to the community. To this end, the Corozal Street Art Movement (C-SAM) brings together ten young artists. Their first fresco adorns a wall in the Corozal House of Culture. The project is supported by Belmopan painter Kelvin Baizar. As well as giving young people a chance to express themselves, the initiative aims to put a smile on the faces of passers-by. They can also be found at the Corozal Graffiti Festival. In the space of five years, C-SAM has produced some 50 murals. It now offers flacking workshops, the art of creatively filling in the hollows and cracks of public space, for example with colored glass. C-SAM contributes to the preservation of local heritage by using the motif of the jade mask found in Corozal in its paintings.
In San Ignacio, Pablo Cambranes founded the Locally Project in response to the need to embellish local stores. A style that can be easily reproduced by as many people as possible develops spontaneously. The place to be embellished is chosen with care, to draw attention to a center of interest or a small business to be supported. Art at the service of the people!
