Two days before I presented my paper at the Edna Manley Conference in Jamaica, I was invited by Visual Arts Department Chair at the Prep Campus Ms Stacy Holtzman, to do a presentation on the Grenada ShortKnee, to the students of Gulliver Prep School in Coral Gables, Florida. Established in 1926 by Arthur Gulliver, the four campuses boast an enrollment of more than 2,200 students and offer the full spectrum of academic and extracurricular programmes that are student-focused, academically rigorous, and tailored to meet individual needs.
 |
| Gulliver’s Chantuelles |
After I briefed the students on the history of the ShortKnee, the students were invited to create a multi-media artwork on a sheet of gesso-prepared plyboard, using acrylics, fabric scraps and discarded foil snack wrappers. My 2011 ICON translation of a lithograph by Cuban artist Santiago Olazábal, titled Tres Chantuelle, was used as reference. The finished student work is to be included in an upcoming art auction to raise funds for the school.
 |
| Tres Chantuelle after Santiago Olazábal |
Tres Chantuelle begins a crossover from, and connects with my interest in the use of Grenada’s Amerindian petroglyphs as artistic subject, and includes background face images and clothing design from the Mount Rich and Victoria petroglyphs. The hand stigmata mark is a directional petroglyph (Venus or the morning star) taken from the Mount Rich collection in Grenada.
Working with the Gulliver students provided another opportunity to broaden the audience scope of this indigenous masquerade and as well as promote Grenada’s art and culture abroad.
Hi Suelin – thank you for visiting my blog! I will try to connect next time I’m in Grenada ( I love Grenada – there had better be a next time)!
Congrats on your presentations, I’m sure the FL students were fascinated.