Fanm, (Creole for ‘Womens’ Rights’) is a fine art exhibition focusing on women and currently showing at Kaz Zanana Restaurant in the Seychelles capital of Victoria.

The island country’s newly formed ARTerial Seychelles Network is the organizer of this show. The group is hoping that this will become the first of many such exhibitions to highlight local talent. The paintings of local artists George Camille and Martin Kennedy are combined with the sculptures of Mirza Moric, a Bosnian native.

This is a return show for Camille, a native of Mahe and La Digue islands in the Seychelles. He has displayed his art previously at the popular local restaurant.

“It is the Indian Ocean environment that permeates, drives and informs everything that I do. I live next to the ocean and its sounds, smells and beauty are represented through form and movement in my work”, says Camille.

Camille explains that his work is not intended to be abstract or confusing, but rather attempts to incorporate basic elements universal to the human species. Camille exhibits in many other countries and is featured in private collections worldwide.

Also on exhibit is the work of Martin Kennedy, musician and former art teacher and headmaster at the local International School Seychelles. Kennedy is currently a board member at the University of Seychelles. Kennedy is the former Chair of the London Association for Art and Design Education as well.

The work Kennedy is exhibiting in the show is a series of prints which he feels interpret the feminine form. He is also featuring original works on canvas in acrylic, block and line painting and transfer images of old family photographs which include Kennedy’s mother, now in her late 80’s.

Adding a three dimensional aspect with sculpture is Bosnian artist Mirza Moric. Marble, stone, bronze and the granite of Seychelles are the preferred media of Moric, who prefers working on large scale art.

Moric received his formal art education first in Bosnia, later studying in Munich, Germany and Paris, France at the internationally acclaimed National Art School.

Moric has designed and sculpted work for the gardens of Notre Dame in Paris and shows his work worldwide. Having visited the Seychelles on a number of occasions, this is Moric’s first show in that country. It has also afforded him the opportunity to sculpt in a favored red granite found on the Seychelles island of Praslin.

The artist’s works typically depict voluptuous feminine forms in extremely grand scale which contributes to their popular public appeal. Moric explains that he strives to ‘give life to matter’ in his works by imbuing them with a vibrant energy.

Fine art in Costa Rica seemed to take a back seat for many years to the more popular handmade crafts which have always been popular with tourists. In recent years, however, with the influx of more expats, there has been more varied influence in art styles and introduction of various non-customary media. The result has been a resurgence in creativity and examples of truly fine art being produced in Costa Rica by local artists and expats alike.

Source: Seychelles Weekly