The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

HOPE Town artist Attila Feszt was the winner of the Jackson Burnside Emerging Visual Artist showcase at Fash|Art 2012. The Abaco native won for his intriguing submission of “Fat Cat”, “Abaco Roadkill” and “Ghost Move Number 2”.

The showcase was held on the first night of Fash|Art, the fashion and art event highlighting emerging talent. Attila was awarded $1000 and the opportunity to showcase his work at Doongalik Studios and Art Gallery, which is the legacy of cultural icon, painter and architect Jackson Burnside.

The exhibit also featured the work of Lesean Bowe, Mecko Gibson, Andrew Weech, Verna Wood, and Selina Sweeting.

By participating in Fash|Art he said he was inspired by the diversity of art in Nassau. He said he was humbled by receiving the award.

“The first time I participated in something in Nassau was the Transforming Spaces art show. I did a lot of screen printing work for that showcase. Getting exposure was a huge part of it for me. It was also benefiting to see other artist and designers, how diverse and progressive art is in Nassau. The artist here are doing all kinds of interesting things and it is inspiring to see all this work. I realize that there are so many opportunities to. Everyone is just out there doing their thing. The only way to get it out there is to do it and show it. I am hoping this is a start to a lot more,” he said.

Wildlife in his hometown Abaco, was the inspiration behind the paintings featured in the showcase.

“I live in Hope Town and riding around on my bicycle, because that is my form of transportation, I always see roadkill on the side of the road. I had an idea that I would actually like this to be a start to a couple other pieces. “Fat Cat” is one of the really big caterpillars that you see and I really liked its detail. The last time I saw a tree full of them, all they did was eat voraciously which is why I gave the painting that title,” he said.

The first “Ghost Move” painting was featured in a previous show at the National Art Gallery, based on Bahamian colloquialism. The painting features a lion fish over a sea fan background, playing on the camouflage idea. He said “Ghost Move Number 2” is a reworking of that painting.

Apart from his artwork, Attila has also started a new creative journey, Maetar Designs. He uses original patterns to capture the essence of island life here in the Bahamas. The designs are inspired by natural beauty and are printed on t-shirts and bags.

“I work as a screen printer, and I print my own t-shirts. I have been getting into my own pattern designs. I print these patterns on shirts and bags and I wanted to start doing it with different patterns and materials. Once I started doing that I started paying attention to the patterns that you see in everything, whether it is the shadow in the leaves or the ripples in the sand. So what I am doing is taking the patterns that you see and making it sort of two dimensional. I am really looking at the shape rather than the actual object,” said Attila.