The Emerge Art Exhibition which took place from September 17-22 is over, and the six featured local artists, Sarah Burrows, Annelie Solis, Gabriella D'abreau, Shauna Narine, Halcian Pierre and AJ Rogers had only wonderful things to say about the entire experience, and none more so than AJ Rogers, the youngest in the group.
The T&T Guardian chatted with the 21-year-old Mayaro resident about his growth as an artist, what being in this show meant to him and his future in the world of artistic expression.
Q: It's indeed a pleasure to meet you, AJ. Can you say what the word Emerge–the theme of this exhibition you were in–means to you?
AJ Rogers: To me the word Emerge means 'to come forth'. It's making a confident entrance. It's making a statement telling people 'Hey, I am (insert your name) and you need to know my work.' It's being confident with yourself and your talent, and letting the world in on it.
How valuable is it to have opportunities to exhibit?
Extremely valuable. It makes me push myself creatively and put out more work, plus you get opportunities to network and have conversations with people, which, as an artist and business person, is both inspiring and informative to me.
When did you realise you wanted to pursue art? What drove you to be an artist?
I have always been an artist. My family is filled with creative people. My mother is a seamstress. One of my older sisters is a culinary creative and so was my late father. My oldest sister is a gifted cosmetologist (and so is my younger sister, along with her talent for singing). However, I realised I wanted to pursue art when I was preparing for CXC. My subjects were mainly sciences and art was an extra, but I had to choose one or the other because art and my science lab clashed. Though I chose science, I couldn't give up on art. I didn't get the passing grade I wanted, but, I passed CXC art along with my science subjects. From that point on I knew art is something I am passionate about and good at, and continued to pursue it.
Did your education help to nurture your artistic pursuits?
For me it's a fusion of education and curiosity. I did art in secondary school and I studied Animation at UTT. In school I learned the basics, did my own research by looking at other artists, and I picked up new tips and tricks and added them to what I already knew, but I'm still learning. There is a saying I like: 'Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.' Picasso said that.
Do you have a preferred style, medium or theme?
I don't have a particular style but I like (and tend) to exaggerate necks in my drawings and I also love drawing flowing hair. As for mediums, I like using acrylics and watercolour when it comes to paints. I also like combining paints, inks, graphite, markers and or colour pencils to get the desired effects in my artwork. Themes include the cosmos, dream or change, as well as sadness or emotions.
What does the word creativity mean to you?
To me creativity is the best gift. It's an entity and an ultimate privilege to be chosen as that host/vessel for creativity. Creativity allows you to open your mind to the beauty and details of the world and makes every day of life an adventure and experience.
What are the challenges you experience as a young artist in Trinidad?
Finding fellow creatives to vibe with you. Now, I am from Mayaro, which is a gem of a location when it comes to being inspired and having a very Zen environment to create in. However, finding persons who are into what you're into is a challenge. The challenge also extends to art supplies which can be very costly and for me, a distance away.
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Which local and international artists inspire you?
Man... so many artists inspire me I can go on for days! (Laughter.) Every day I find new persons to be inspired by. Locally, there's Leroy Clarke, Danielle Boodoo-Fortun�, James Hackett, Brianna McCarthy, Darren Cheewah and the leader of our team, Gabriella D'Abreau � by the way, hers was the first real exhibition I saw � and more. International artists on my list are Stella Im Hultberg, Salvador Dali, Audrey Kawasaki, Herakut and more. Websites like Pintrest and Tumblr enable me to find something and someone to be inspired by and it's even more special when it's someone local.
What about your family and friends? Do they support your artistic endeavors?
I feel very privileged and honored to have that support, and I never had the issue of family telling me that art is a waste of time and I should not do it. My parents always believed in me and always pushed me to keep doing my art. Sadly I lost my dad this year, but he always said, 'You should have your work in a gallery.' I believe he was way more informed about art than I was.
I must also mention my best friend Samantha Farmer (also an artist). I value her opinion. She challenges me and also calls me out when she knows I could have done a better piece. Everyone was just super excited that I was in the Emerge Art Exhibition.
You are (at 21) the youngest person in this grouping. From your observances, do you think fewer young people pursue art in T&T? If so, why?
I think the reason is due to art being viewed as a hobby and not an actual career. We come from a tradition of security and being an artist isn't the most secure field. Also, everyone doesn't have that support system. Art is an investment and like most things it takes time to become successful at it.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I see myself still creating and being creative. I would love for it to be my full time job and have a confortable means of living. I dream of having a large studio space with large windows to let the light in and give me a view of nature while I create... of course, in my hometown of Mayaro.
What advice would you give to other young artists who are thinking of pursuing art?
AJR: I'd tell them to try drawing every day; practice makes perfect. Art is experimentation and going with the flow. Every drawing isn't going to be perfect and 90 per cent of the creative process is what I call "the ugly phase" where things just look a hot mess. Don't let it deter you. Keep going and boom! Magic! You have an epic piece of art.
Also, we would all love to have the best sketch books and supplies and we like to compare what we have with other artists, but art stuff is expensive. Not everyone is lucky to have all the nice stuff. Others get them little by little, you can too.
Finally create what makes you happy. You can't please everyone and the sooner you know that the better.
INFO
AJ Rogers can be contacted via email at ajjr112@gmail.com