Activity: Short illustrated talk
Host: Moray House Trust
Date: 16th May 2023
Time: 11AM Guyana
YouTube: https://youtu.be/jU8sOAfumLU
Stanley Greaves’ overview of the Working People’s Art Class gives us the chance to witness the rise, the evolution and the eventual decline of an institution, in a land where institutions with any sort of endurance are an endangered species. It also raises all sorts of intriguing questions.
What are our metrics for a successful arts initiative or institution? What do we value? How do we assess its impact? Is longevity the purest measure of success? Is it the number of events or exhibitions held, prizes awarded or accolades received? In a culture that is still coming of age, there are more elusive but equally significant metrics. What about making the unthinkable seem really quite normal, a quotidian or perhaps weekly event? In fits and starts, imperfectly but none the less heroically, the Working People’s Art Class created a space for the practice of art by sections of the population for whom such an opportunity was almost non-existent. E.R Burrowes led the charge, ably supported, it turns out by a dedicated group of volunteers. In so doing, Burrowes literally came to embody his mission. At the peak of his powers, as Donald Locke would write, “though there were other interesting artists at work. Burrowes was Art and Art was Burrowes.”
Ironically, Burrowes arguably side-lined the development of his own artistic talent in order to pursue this mission, a sacrifice that is worthy of note. Burrowes’ oeuvre richly deserves to be catalogued and assessed. Stanley points to one of Burrowes’ paintings – Land of the Dolorous Garde – as perhaps the standout item in the national collection. It was certainly freighted with messages and allusions that might have escaped a local audience.
As many will know, Stanley Greaves began his studies with Edward Burrowes in the Working Peoples’ Art Class. He is one of those for whom Burrowes opened new horizons, new possibilities.
Title: The Working People’s Art Class
Date: Tuesday 16th May 2023
Time: 11.00 AM Guyana
YouTube: https://youtu.be/jU8sOAfumLU