“My art is my means of expression. It is where I release stored up tension and angst. It’s where I express what I’m thinking and feeling at the time. In my art, I have complete freedom and the power to add and take away whatever I want to,” says young Guyanese artist Roberto Teekah.
The talented 20-year-old, who hails from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, is leaving folks in awe with his paintings. But while he paints at the pleasure of many, the gifted youth insists that it is really for his own love and benefit. “I have a deep love for painting. If I don’t paint, I think I might go insane.”
Teekah began drawing and painting since he was near four years old but was without any formal training.
The young man later attended The Bishops’ High School, where he was given the opportunity to take his art to another level. With Art being one of his favorite subjects, Teekah was especially pleased to be given the opportunity to formally learn about one of the things he love most. Teekah wrote Art and Design at the level of CAPE and was awarded a Grade 1 with Distinction.
The talented youth said that it was during his time at Bishops he learnt that art is in everything and is indeed everywhere.
The young man said his inspiration comes from all over, ranging from the extravagant to the most mundane things. “I like folklore and religion, periods in history like the Rococo, flora and fauna; pop culture, also avant-garde fashion…even things like an accidental arrangement of objects, a clever play on words, or the shapes created by shadows on a wall serves as inspiration.”
Even though the young man is a full time student at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, he has already started receiving awards for his great work.
Teekah was a prize winner at the Guyana Coconut Festival Painting competition in 2016.
One of Teekah’s most recent paintings is of a strong female figure, with elements drawn both from history and his imagination.
The one he calls “Emergence” depicts a woman shedding her skin. Below the skin of the woman is the new flesh of a snake. The snake under her skin puts the title in context, as it depicts this woman evolving out of a shell, into her true self.
The woman is emerging from her comfort zone to show what she truly has within.
Along with Teekah’s feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction with his hard work, he has a desire for persons to understand the story behind each painting.
“My paintings usually have a lot of thought put into them and I feel like it’s equally important for the viewer to understand and appreciate the message,” said Teekah.
