Lizards and a poem about a volcano - Meet Josette Norris

"Keep it, keep it.." Josette Norris said . She had given me a copy of the poem '79' by Shake (pronounced Shak-ie) Keane.

Shake Kean was a trumpet player and made a name for himself in Europe and North America. The poem is about the 1979 eruption of the St Vincent Soufriere volcano. It refers to 'rancid hope and Guyana rice'. I don't know if any other Caribbean poets have written about Guyana in their poems.

I have never been to any event in Guyana where an artist gave me a poem written by a jazz musician.

Josette Norris's tribute to Shake includes a broken 78 record - Fire Fire.



She says that it might have been one of her grandmother's collection of 78 records which the children used as frisbees.

There are three paintings featuring lizards. 'Lizards are beautiful' she says. I agree.

There is an interesting range of work. She uses techniques to give some 3 dimensional effects.  There are other beautiful paintings of flowers, people, bamboo. I am neither artist nor art critic so I wouldn't bother to explain what I mean by beautiful or interesting.

I learn of the Jamaican-Australia born artist Colin Garland

She has a book 'Ride Guyana' of drawings inspired by people who ride bicycles in Guyana. There is a nice kind of Caribbean vibe in the small space  - St Vincent - Jamaica- Guyana which is not about fake political and economic unities or losing cricket teams. 

The gallery has a nice plain wooden floor.  "My house is made of Guyana wood' she says.

I think I spent more time listening to Josette Norris and laughing at some of her observations, than going through the exhibition. The title I think is 'Meet Josette Norris.

As I leave, she tells me, Caribbean style.. make sure I come back again.


The exhibition continues until Saturday 10th June, 2017 at 160 Waterloo Street (close to Lamaha Street). Admission is free. It is open from 11am to 6pm.