Nishan :: Intuitive Artist

Nishan at work
From her earliest years growing up in Germany, Nishan has been using painting as a form of self-expression. These days, many countries and years later, she calls Port Antonio home. Still, like a true Intuitive, this self-taught artist continues to create art that is entirely her own. I visited her home studio on Monday. Here's some of what she had to say:

Prêt-à-Portie: When and how did you start painting? 

Nishan: I've always felt that self-made gifts are so much better than buying something. So when I was little, I'd always make something or paint something for my grandmother and grandfather. It was always fun for me to play with the colours. It's really an emotional outlet for me. So I paint to digest or process emotional experiences whether its something beautiful or traumatic. 

PaP: How would you describe your style of painting?

Nishan: I like to call it soul-painting because it reflects what's touching me. It's a surprising and exciting process because I'm never sure what I'm going to end up with.  

PaP:  Why did you relocate to Jamaica, and Port Antonio in particular?

Nishan: I fell in love with Jamaica when I first visited with my mother and the rest of my family many years ago. Since then, I've lived in Morocco, Mexico, South Italy and Belize. I knew though that I wanted my children to grow up in a wonderful climate and with some amount of freedom. Jamaica was the best place for this. Yes, there is the so-called 'hell and struggling' here, but there is also a lot of joy and blessing and paradise. Port Antonio is special because it is the one place I feel most free to be myself. I like that the pace is slower than the rest of Jamaica and it's almost stress-free. It is this blissful side that I want to express in my paintings.


Oshun, 3x2 1/2 ft, acrylic on plyboard
PAP: Who are your favourite artists?

Nishan: I'd have to say Pen Cayetano the Garifuna painter and musician from Belize. I especially love his earlier work, while he was still living in Belize. When I lived there over 20 years ago I had the joy of watching him work and he was amazing. He often did multiple paintings at once and would skip from one to the other while the paint dried. Very inspiring figure for me.

PAP: What other artforms do you practice?

Nishan: I started jewellery-making more recently, about 7 years ago. I work with silver and mixed media like leather and African beads which I get directly from the Africans whenever I go to Paris.

You can see more of Nishan's work here, or you can see her work on exhibit at Goblin Hill Villas from May 23-29.


Light Years, 3x2 1/2 ft, acrylic on plyboard

Aya Wear :: Modern Fashion + African Flair

Arlene in one of her latest Aya-Wear creations.
If you're a Portie regular then its very likely that you'd have met Arlene Passley in one of her many roles as either Blue Mountain tour guide, Entertainment Coordinator, Mentor, or more recently as the creative talent behind Aya Wear Fashion. The self-taught desinger started Aya Wear just over a year ago and hopes to eventually help create a greater appreciation for African-inspired clothing locally. I caught up with her yesterday...over the best veggie-burgers ever from Woody's Low Bridge Place:)...to talk about her work, living her dream and the blessings of Portie living.
 
Here's more from our conversation.

Prêt-à-Portie: How did you start a career in Fashion design?

Arlene: Fashion has been a major part of my life since age 16 when I was introduced to the world of modelling. But, that was many moons ago, and after experiencing every fashion trend since the 80's, worn every major designer label from every continent, and having had the opportunity to travel internationally I can honestly say that back then I was more a "fashionista" than a fashion designer. My design concept was borne out of my understanding and acceptance of Africa as the sovereign land and the fact that we are a royal people and should therefore attire ourselves accordingly. The feeling derived from wearing clothes made from African fabrics can only be described as "royal" and I felt the compelling need to share this feeling with my 'sistas', hence the birth of AYA-WEAR.

PAP: Explain the name, Aya-Wear. Where did it come from?

Arlene: AYA is the Akan adinkra symbol of endurance, resourcefulness, and defiance against odds. That could describe most of the women of this world, regardless of nationality or ethnicity. We women naturally possess these qualities and abilities. AYA-WEAR exudes royalty and confidence in the knowledge of who you are and where you're from. I call it "modern fashions with an African resurgence" because I use authentic African fabrics to create modern, fun, and even sexy pieces. I do traditional styles as well but of course even with those I have to put my 'AYA' spin on them, jazz them up a bit. AYA-WEAR is a symbol of modesty and grace, but make no mistakes, the AYA woman is one who knows what she's about. So when you see her coming roll out the red carpet.


Arlene lounging in the Royal Hut at Great Huts
PAP: Where does your inspiration come from in creating a piece?

Arlene: My mind is a constant wellspring of fashion designs. I am a designer at heart. I design through the mind's eye before I even visualize the fabric. Then when I physically examine the fabrics, I design according to the lines, patterns, textures, colours and so forth. I do a lot of mixing and matching and crochet inlays.

PAP: Who are your favourite designers?

Arlene: Locally, I'd have to say Mamayashi and Sandra Thompson of Kamit Revisited. Mamayashi and I have a mutual friend, so I was more than thrilled to meet-up with such a talented sistren. Internationally though, I love Senegalese designer Oumou Sy's work.

Here are some photos from the 2009/10 Aya Wear collection.


Photos by Nino Sciuto

Photos by Nino Sciuto & Noël Cianci
Arlene's work can be found at Shop # 3, Zion Hill, Portland, and she can be contacted at arlenepassley@yahoo.com.