The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter DRAWING inspiration from the human condition, his personal interests and everyday experiences, Omar Richardson's print-making skills bring real life emotion into dramatic focus. The 29-year-old artist showcased his latest work, themed "The Renewal of Life", at an exhibit last Thursday at the Central Bank of the Bahamas Art Gallery. Mr Richardson is not a first-time exhibitor, but it is a first time for his print-making talent to be on display. "Print-making is a form of traditional art. It is new to everyone right now because there is only one major print-maker, and that is Maxwell Taylor. The fact that no one is doing what I'm doing in print-making in the Bahamas makes them automatically one of a kind," said Mr Richardson. He said the old art technique was used with different applications like silk screen and lithographs. "The technique that I am using is wood carving. It is an old technique that has been done from centuries ago. It's done by hand, no machines, everything is done by hand. The mixed media pieces are a combination of mono prints, wood carving and photography," said Mr Richardson. With 26 pieces on display at the Central Bank, Mr Richardson's work has gained a lot of attention. The gallery even extended the exhibit to the first week in January. There are snakes, monkeys and many different kinds of symbols that Mr Richardson brings out in his art pieces. The work also explores identity issues and human emotions as reflected in human expressions. Describing one of his favourites, he said: "My favourite is a piece that I did of myself. It has like a red print in the back of it. It talks about different challenges we face as a young artist or as a person in general. Sometimes these obstacles might be decried as evil objects, but in actuality they are based on the fact of the renewal of life." As a young print-maker, Mr Richardson said he feels a sense of responsibility to educate people about the medium and to give exposure to other non-traditional art forms. "I want it to be recognised as a strong medium. I also want to be known as a Bahamian artist who is going to bring a different look or aspect to how we look at Bahamian art. It is just not traditional painting and basic pictures, it is more something that is different and more unique," said Mr Richardson. While attending the Savannah College of the Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia, Mr Richardson said he was introduced to print-making. There, he started his first official wood carving, after which he never stopped. It was at C R Walker Secondary School, however, where Mr Richardson received his first formal introduction to the world of art. At that time, he focused primarily on carpentry, until a teacher took note of his potential and encouraged him to open his mind to contemporary art forms. "Mrs Ashe was the first person who inspired me in arts. She actually opened my eyes into knowing what is out there. I didn't know that the art scene was so big until she educated me in art history class," he said.