The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN visual artist Willicey Tynes had no intention to settling down in Minnesota, USA, by life had another plan.

He fell in love, got married, and made Minneosta his new home. And for past ten years Willicey has spent his time making a mark on the international art scene with Bahamian style.

Willicey currently works with a number of non-profit organisations, many of which offer art programmes to under privileged and inner city children to create opportunities for them to be creative. He gains great satisfaction from making a positive impact on the lives of children who have dreams similar to the ones he had.

Recently he was accepted into a juried exhibition in San Antonio, Texas. This was a major feat because the art scene is saturated with artists who are just as talented as he is.

“It was the Green House Gallery Exhibition and I was juried in from among 1100 paintings of which only 434 were accepted.This was a major accomplishment for me knowing how fiercely talented and skilful international artists are,” he said.

Willicey is also a member of several boards and organisations in Minnesota including: Artist Guild of Central MN,  Paramount Visual Art Advisory Committee, Visual Arts Minnesota Board Member, Paramount Arts Resource Trust Board.

His work has been featured in publications including the St Cloud Times, as well as Morrison County Record.

Although his work has been published and displayed in many exhibits in Minnesota, he said the true impact of his art has yet to be seen.

“The short term impact my work has had I would say is a sense of awe and appreciation. The hope to get people to delve deeper into the cultural aspects and social constructiveness that moves a body of them to stop and ask, what did we just experience over the last couple decades with this artist?”

The strong regard for his environment is evident in his sculptures and paintings and those who have viewed his work, have welcomed the passion he exhibits for the Caribbean.

“My art pieces are works that evoke a great sense of appreciation for my environment and my culture. But it is also very reflective of the many beautiful people I have come into contact with over the years whether they were in the form of the subject matter I was painting or the collector who appreciated and identified with the work.”

“My approach to my work for me is a simple one. I am not easily impressed, so I try to impress myself with what I do, then likely I will impress my viewer. There is so much art out there and so many persons doing some of the same things, I try to find ways to stand out and sometimes it is as simple as creating quality work that I am proud of putting my name on. Art has been an integral part of my life and my work strongly reflects that.

In addition to the natural environment, the work of several prominent Bahamian and international visual artists have influenced Willicey’s work. He draws inspiration from their styles and techniques.

“My work’s influence was a combination of the many amazingly gifted artists around me growing up in the Bahamas such as the Minnis family, Alton Lowe, and Chan Pratt; artists that knew exactly how to depict beauty that lies in the everyday scenes of the Caribbean. I was also a part of the Finco Art Workshops during the late 1990’s.

The instructors along with fellow art students such as Kishan Munroe, Allan Wallace and Holston Bain also helped in bolstering my need to perfect my skills because these young artist themselves were very gifted at what they did.

This year Willicey intends to return to the Bahamas in November to work on a solo show.