Georgetown : The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company launched a collection of 600 coffee books titled “Panorama, a Portrait of Guyana” featuring pieces from the “National Collection.”
One of the books comprises 68 pieces of art work, done by Guyana’s renowned artists; it portrays the birth of Guyana and its way of life, independence, progress, rice, rebellions, festivals, landscape, culture, plays and love. It also contains essays from the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Minister,Dr. Frank Anthony, Chairman of the National Art Gallery's Board of Directors, Alim Hosein, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GT&T, Radha Krishna Sharma.
This $10M project, to be completed in three series, is derived from a partnership between the Culture Ministry and the telephone company, after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for the printing and publishing of books last year.
Speaking at the launch yesterday, which was held at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony described the partnership between the ministry and GTT as a fruitful one, since it would has seen the realisation of a number of projects over the past years.
However, he said, that this particular project is very significant, noting that the overall books give Guyanese the opportunity to have a sense of appreciation for Guyana’s National Collection, which is being showcased at Castellani House, Vlissengen Road.
Minister Anthony emphasised that many persons are of the view that only a certain calibre of people visit the Castellani House to view art works. “We want to change that view of Castellani and change that perception of the gallery. We want Guyanese to have a greater appreciation for Guyanese art,” the minister noted.
He also added that this initiative is the beginning of the digitisation process of the National Collection, since the books will also be available online.
Meanwhile, Sharma noted that over the years the telephone company has always been associated with “things Guyanese” and “things culture”. Sharma added that this project is very important, since it fosters a greater appreciation for visual arts, and also facilitate the digitisation of the art gallery.
Hosein expressed happiness that the book has been published, noting that it signifies public education. He said that the books will be made available to Guyanese, both local and overseas.
The National Collection is officially only 50 years old, but includes pieces dating back to the nineteenth century. Thereon, it follows the growth of Guyanese art into contemporary times, providing an insight into Guyanese history and cultural development.
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