UK-Seychelles art exhibition on

Work of a group of Seychellois and British artists are on display at the National Library.

Organised by the British High Commission the exhibition, which runs until Friday September 12, was officially opened on Monday September 8, evening by the British High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Fraser Wilson, in front of an audience of artists, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and invited guests.

Featuring fifteen artists, either Britons now based in Seychelles or Seychellois who have studied or lived in the UK, the exhibition shows the strong links between the two countries in the field of art.

The High Commissioner said that all of the artists featured in the exhibition had developed their own distinctive styles, demonstrating that the artistic field in Seychelles is alive and thriving.

Director of the National Arts Council, Mr Emmanuel Doffay, said that bilateral events such as the art exhibition directly effect the spirit of the community for the better, in a way that a loan or similar form of international cooperation, for instance, could not, adding that the event had a symbolic value representing the virtue of genuine partnership.

Popular local artist George Camille said that the exhibition had made him aware of just how many artists working in Seychelles have links with the UK and that studying art in the Britain "gets you to think, to be avant garde, to be different and this all reflects in our work."

While the guests examined the works and those who could afford the prices, ranging from R1,000 to R14,000, considered making an offer, Mr Camille expressed his hope that the exhibition would encourage more Seychellois to study in Britain, or to visit the country and go to art galleries while there.

Mr Camille congratulated the High Commission for hosting the exhibition, the first event of its kind, and suggested that, were it to be repeated, it could perhaps include a workshop or discussion session, or visit by a British artist.

The fifteen artists with pieces in the exhibition are Michael Adams, Tom Bowers, George Camille, Christine Chetty-Payet, Andrew Gee, Nigel Henri, Barbara Jenson, Pierre Joseph, Egbert Mardy, Sheila Markham, Colbert Nourrice, Leon Radegone, Liz Raguain, Benjamin Soopramanian and Alcide Libanotis.

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