Young artists showcase their work in week-long exhibition |30 July 2019

The Seychelles Institute of Art and Design (SIAD) in collaboration with the National Arts Council, is hosting its annual graduate’s art exhibition entitled ‘Rise’ at the Carrefour des Arts.

The opening ceremony held on Friday was attended by the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Jeanne Simeon, parents, teachers and the artists themselves.

“My studies at SIAD was not an easy one, but the tremendous energy and determination that I have converted into my work is the end products of the beautiful creations being displayed today,” said Brandon Laurence, the President’s Cup winner for SIAD for the 2018 cohort.

Brandon added that “great things are never established within comfort zones, it required me to be bold enough to try ideas that scared me and I made sure to grab any opportunities given to me by my many lecturers to improve myself and become better day by day and this is what I have reaped today, my own hard work being displayed publicly”.

The young artist thanked everyone that has helped him in one way or another.

“This exhibition marks a special day to all the young promising artists standing before me, we are very proud to see such wonderful talents translated into beautiful creations,” said Benjamine Rose, chairperson of SIAD’s governing board.

She added that the art being exhibited today portrays the various skills and knowledge of the young artists, who over the course of their school years have mastered creative techniques to deliver works of this calibre.

“This exhibition is an opportunity to introduce our graduates to the public and expose their work and their talents,” said Christine Chetty-Payet, director of SIAD.

The exhibition also features the works of students from the School of Advanced Level studies who sat for the Cambridge GCE A-Level art and design examination at SIAD last year.

The works on display are available for public viewing and purchasing until August 9.

The accompanying photographs show guests viewing the exhibition after the opening ceremony on Friday.