Tenth Anniversary Photowalks, Volume 1 by visions.gy

VOLUME 1

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTOWALKS

2010 - 2020

Photos from walks held on June 6th and 7th, 2020 Heart of GT Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Vreed-en-Hoop Cuffy Monument A

P R O D U C T I O N

GUYANA PHOTOGRAPHERS: Tenth Anniversary Photowalks, Volume 1 is compiled and edited by Fidal Bassier, Taijrani Rampersaud, and Michael C. Lam

Published by VISIONS Publication date: July 29, 2020

P R O D U C T I O N

GUYANA PHOTOGRAPHERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; FACEBOOK GROUP All images are the copyright of the respective photographers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the Publisher or the Photographer(s) whose works are portrayed. No image may be used without the permission of the respective photographer. Cover photograph by Brian Gomes.

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTOWALKS VOLUME 1 - June 6th-7th, 2020

To commemorate the tenth Anniversary of the Guyana Photographers’ Facebook Group, we decided to hold a series of Photowalks around Guyana. Photowalks are excellent because enable photographers to meet in person, to share and learn from each other in real time, as well as to take photographs while participating in a group activity. The resulting images usually convey differences in views from photographer to photographer, even though many point their cameras at the same subjects. Furthermore, they serve to demonstrate the abilities of the photographers regardless of the device they use - whether they take pictures with a DSLR camera, a point-and-shoot camera, or a mobile device. This volume of the Tenth Anniversary Photowalks magazine contains self-curated images from the photographers who participated on the first weekend. It must be noted that all participants adhered strictly to national guidelines and safety measures regarding COVID-19. The organizers also helped to have smaller groups undertake the walks by planning simultaneous activities. On this first weekend, four walks were planned and executed. There were two walks on June 6, 2020: Heart of GT Walk led by Darrell Carpenay, and Lusignan – Annandale Seawall Walk led by Michael C. Lam. The following day, June 7, 2020, the remaining two were conducted: Vreed-en-Hoop Walk led by Tana Yussuff, and Cuffy Monument Walk led by Brian Gomes. Following these walks on weekend one, the participants then selected a maximum of ten images from their haul to be published in this magazine. These pictures convey to others the individual experience of each photographer on those walks. Even though they are being shared with the public through this publication, kindly remember that images remain the property of the respective photographers and should not be replicated in any form without their consent. We hope you enjoy these artistic insights into the lives of Guyanese and places in Guyana from these four unique locations!

Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay

The Heart of GT Walk took photographers on a journey through one of Geogetown’s most interesting areas. The walk began at Parliament Building, located at High and Brickdam Streets, in front of the statue of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. Critchlow is a legendary Guyanese popularly referred to as “father of the modern trade union movement in Guyana.” The group then ventured deeper - into more bustling territory on entering the historic Stabroek Market area, which is easily one of the most enthralling and busiest regions in the city. Stabroek Market has a history which dates back to the 1800s and is possibly the most iconic, man-made structure in Guyana. Within the same vicinity are multiple mini-bus parks, street vendors, and taxi parks to satisfy the needs of the thousands of people who traverse the area daily - all of which made for great interactions and photographs.

As someone who has lived most their life in Georgetown, and has walked this route countless times, the decision to organise and lead the Heart of GT Walk for the Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalk Series was almost instinctive. Moreover, to share the experience with a group of passionate and talented individuals who were able to capture this part of Guyana’s capital city in their own exclusive way was an absolute pleasure.

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

The next leg of the walk took us along the Avenue of

the Republic, where many of Guyana’s most important buildings are located, including the High Court, the Magistrate’s Court, City Hall, and Bank of Guyana. Guyana’s colonial history is very evident along this stretch, with quite a few structures from that era, beautifully crafted canals lined with ﬂamboyant trees, and aesthetically pleasing, though poorly maintained, metal and concrete infrastructure. There’s absolutely no denying that the architects of Georgetown intended for it to be a city of beauty, elegance, and functionality.

Signs of the Era on Croal St., Georgetown © Darrell A. Carpenay

Parked but not forgotten © Bryan Nobrega

St Andrew’s Kirk, Georgetown © Johnnathan Kanhai

New Building Society © Bryan Nobrega

Social distancing markings in front of the Magistrate’s Court © Johnnathan Kanhai

Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay

The Republic Arch of Guyana which was rehabilitated is a rare gem of Guyana © Bryan Nobrega

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1 4

St. George's Cathedral Reﬂection, Georgetown © Darrell A. Carpenay

City Engineers Building © Bryan Nobrega

The grill work of ACME PHOTO © Kenny Harrinaraine

'Even in these trying times we must not forget to live' - Ave. of the Republic, Georgetown © Johnnathan Kanhai

Drummers Under Demico House, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay

A Pass Through Berbice Bus Park, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

Street Art © Bryan Nobrega

Street jam despite depressing times #Covid-19 © Bryan Nobrega

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

Young boys riding the bicycle wheelie on Regent St Georgetown © Kenny Harrinaraine

"The Vendor " An old lady selling her fruits and vegetables in the Stabroek area. © Kenny Harrinaraine

From clothing and shoes to sanitizers and face masks #thenewhustle © Bryan Nobrega

Vendor Selling COVID-19 Prevention Supplies Near Stabroek Market, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

Urban Art On Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

Bank of Guyana, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay

Street bikers showcasing there talents #wheelie © Bryan Nobrega

Hand-In-Hand on the Avenue of the Republic on a cool Saturday afternoon during Covid-19 © Bryan Nobrega

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

Steel Arch showcasing Co-operative Republic at the City Hall © Bryan Nobrega

The Phone Card Lady © Kenny Harrinaraine

Vendors in the Stabroek Area, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

(L-R) Darrell Carpenay, Orson Hinds, Johnnathan Kanhai, Kenny Harrinaraine, Brian Nobrega

Heart of GT Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Darrell Carpenay

Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay

Stabroek, Georgetown. © Darrell Carpenay

Street Vendor, Georgetown. © Darrell Carpenay

Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam

The stretch of seawall selected for this walk is about eight hundred metres long - beginning at the Lusignan pump station, passing the Annandale Koker and Pump Station and heading towards the mangrove area at Anandale (this stretch of Mangroves leads towards Buxton). These areas are not frequented by visitors as much as portions near/closer to Georgetown, but do see more ﬁshermen and their boats, and there is usually some activity from residents of the surrounding area.

As part of the Anniversary Photowalks, I chose this area because of my love for the sea and the seawall, and also because of the diversity of images possible. While I personally like wide landscapes/seascapes, there is much activity surrounding the Koker area with ﬁshermen, their boats, and associated activities. Due to the presence of mangroves, there is also a fair amount of birds, and as with almost any stretch of coast, you just never know what you might see, it changes all the time.

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

At the time of the walk (3pm), the tide was low but beginning to rise, so there was some water near the wall itself in some parts. There were also some

ﬁshermen and other visitors to the seawall giving the photographers a bit of variety to use.

Best Friends. Lugisnan Sea Side © Tana Yussuﬀ

The View along Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

A man's best friend is also man's favorite company on a ﬁshing trip. Lugisnan Seaside. © Tana Yussuﬀ

Distant Koker - a view from Anandale Seawall © Michael C. Lam

Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam

The Wait. Lusignan Seawall, ECD. © Savita Balkaran

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

After the Crossing - Anandale Seawall © Michael C. Lam

Return of the Bounty © Nikhil Ramkarran

Best Friends- Lusignan Seawall, ECD. © Savita Balkaran

Fisherman. Lugisnan Sea Side © Tana Yussuﬀ

Afternoon walk - Lusignan Seawall © Michael C. Lam

Leader © Maqsood Mansoor

Fisherman © Maqsood Mansoor

Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam

Loyalty. Lusignan Seawall, ECD © Savita Balkaran

Fisher Men at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

Daily hustle © Monique Sarius

Outlook Is Clear © Nikhil Ramkarran

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

"Boat Parking Lot" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Koker and Pump Station - Lusignan-Anandale, ECD © Michael C. Lam

"Koker of the Past" - Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Home Sweet Home © Maqsood Mansoor

For Sale at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R Campbell

Lonely © Maqsood Mansoor

"Standing Tall" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Homebound © Monique Sarius

"A Row of Scarlet Ibis" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam

Brown waters matter © Monique Sarius

Disillusioned berb (bird) © Monique Sarius

Protection © Maqsood Mansoor

Holy Flowers © Monique Sarius

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

Dragon Fly © Maqsood Mansoor

Jhandi Flag at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

Religious Refuse © Nikhil Ramkarran

Reused Now Refuse © Nikhil Ramkarran

"The Mast & Rope" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Green at sea at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam

"Rising Tide & Jhandi Flag" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Afternoon at the wall - Lusignan, ECD © Michael C. Lam

Lowtide Layers - Anandale, ECD© Michael C. Lam

Captain © Maqsood Mansoor

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

"Seamen Oﬄoading" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Oﬀ loading Big Blue at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

Boats at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

Abandoned © Maqsood Mansoor

Big Blue and Koker at Lusignan seawalls© Bianca R. Campbell

"Mangroves of Tomorrow" "Young Guardians of the Coast"© Troy AA Parboo

Fishing. Lusignan Sea Side © Tana Yussuﬀ

Time to Rest © Maqsood Mansoor

Companions © Maqsood Mansoor

Oﬄoading the catch of the day. Lugisnan Sea Side © Tana Yussuﬀ

Moored boats © Monique Sarius

A Hindi God © Monique Sarius

Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam

Flying Ibises © Monique Sarius

Prep to Throw at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

Waiting. Lusignan Sea Side © Tana Yussuﬀ

People- Lusignan Seawall, ECD © Savita Balkaran

Boat on its way in at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell

Jhandi Flag and Reﬂection - Lusignan © Michael C. lam

Peeling Paint Porn © Nikhil Ramkarran

"The Curve" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam

"Days End" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo

Cabinet of the Captain© Nikhil Ramkarran

(L-R) Michael C. Lam, Bianca R. Campbell, Tory AA Parboo, Monique Sarius, Nikhil Ramkarran, Tana Yussuﬀ, Savita Balkaran, Maqsood Mansoor

Lusignan-Annandale Seawall Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

Michael C. Lam

Fisherman's Gyaﬀ - Lusignan, East Coast Demerara © Michael C. Lam

The Distant Koker - as seen from Annandale, East Coast Demerara © Michael C. Lam

Vreed-en-hoop - Plastic City with Tana Yussuff

Plastic City is a settlement just oﬀ the Vreed-enHoop Stelling - going north about quarter of a mile from the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School. The settlement can be found along an old Dutch Jetty nested in the mangrove forest going north towards the mouth of Demerara River. The red mangrove roots trap soil particles and garbage and it is on this that the Plastic City settlers built their homes. There are small wooden homes that line the right side of the Jetty which leads to the Atlantic Ocean. There is no electricity and no potable water in the area. Each home is equipped with barrels and drums to catch rain water for home use. At the time of the walk (10am) some of the settlers were seen doing household chores or relaxing in their homes.

From July to September, the place is busy with people from nearby villages who catch crabs there. During this time, everyone would be cooking crabs in their homes in every way you could imagine one can cook and eat crab. Due to their hard way of life, the people there are a bit “ruﬀ to the touch” and this is one of the communities that one would have to be “thick skinned” to live there. Towards the end of the jetty, one can get a clear view of the Georgetown skyline with some landmarks standing out. These include the Stabroek Market, Guyana Mariott Hotel, and the wharves.

Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff

Due to soil erosion and the distribution of house lots, many residents have moved, but many others

stayed on because some of them could not aﬀord to relocate, and the area is a quick access point to Georgetown where many of them would look for a days work .

Jetty - Plastic City, West Coast Demerara © Sara Henry

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

RGB © Fidal Bassier

Aunty picking/cleaning rice for lunch © Tana Yussuﬀ

Early morning chores © Tana Yussuﬀ

Shop © Fidal Bassier

Silvie's Delight © Fidal Bassier

Parental Guidance - Pot spoon © Fidal Bassier

Village Shop. Plastic City © Tana Yussuﬀ

Market Vendor © Fidal Bassier

Mangrove saplings thrive among garbage © Sara Henry

Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff

Siesta © Fidal Bassier

Shell on the Jetty - Vreed en Hoop, WBD © Savita Balkaran

Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff

Tree - Trunks © Fidal Bassier

Plastic City © Tana Yussuﬀ

Network of Mangrove Roots © Sara Henry

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

(Back) Johnnathan Kanhai, Fidal Bassier, Paul Junior Singh, (Centre) Sarah Henry, Kenny Harrinarine, Dione Vanderhyden, (Front) Savita Balkaran, Tana Yusuf, Latrell Proﬁt (taking the group selﬁe)

Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Tana Yussuﬀ

Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff

Cuffy Monument Walk with Brian Gomes

The 1763 Monument, also known as Cuﬀy, stands in the Square of the Revolution, D'Urban Park - at the head of Brickdam (street). Although one may not think of it immediately as a location for a photowalk, the area encompasses the Independence Arch, the Oﬃce of the President, Castellani House, the Church of the Nazarene with its burial ground and the entire D'Urban Park with the new Jubilee Park for events. It is very spacious and allows for very creative shooting.

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

The monument was built to commemorate the 1763 Rebellion also known as the Great Rebellion. Though not successful in attaining freedom, it was considered as the ﬁrst well-organized uprising by

the slaves against their oppressors, as they fought for their freedom. The name “Cuﬀy” was that of a house-slave who assumed a leading role during that rebellion. The uprising lasted more than a year before the slaves were overcome by their Dutch “masters” . The monument was designed by Mr Phillip Moore, an acclaimed local artist, and unveiled during Guyana’s Tenth Independence Anniversary celebrations. Images resulting from this walk try to capture the monument itself, but also a few others that lend to the nature of the area.

Cuffy Monument Walk with Brian Gomes

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

A super-sized Golden Arrowhead, the flag of Guyana, was raised at Jubilee Park on the occasion of our 50th Anniversary of Independence, on May 26th 2016. Since then it has been a notable feature of the landscape in the area. The flag measures sixty-five feet wide by thirty-five feet high and sits atop a flagpole that stands one hundred and eighty feet tall.

Cuffy Monument Walk with Brian Gomes

Cuffy Monument Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1

Brian Gomes

I took the opportunity to capture the 1763 monument's and the Golden Arrowhead's reﬂection in a pool of water © Brian Gomes

Our Walk Leaders Darrell Carpenay Darrell Carpenay is a part-time amateur photographer. He has lived most of my life in Georgetown, and began taking photography seriously in 2017. For the most part, his photos include street-photography, landscapes, and anything in between that captures his eye. His work was part of the VISIONS 2018 Exhibition.

Michael C. Lam Michael C. Lam is a Guyanese photographer. His inﬂuences include the work of Ansel Adams, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Darren Moore. The majority of his work tends to be high contrast black and white photographs, with a penchant for seascapes as evident in his Oniabo collection. In 2012, he co-exhibited with fellow photographer Nikhil Ramkarran in “Coastal Wanderings” at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House. He was the Bronze medallist in the 2012 and 2017 Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition, short-listed in 2014. In 2014, he was the Chief judge for “Capture Guyana” photography competition. His work has been exhibited at Aljira, Newark, NJ; the Caribbean Cultural Centre African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), New York; the Queens Central Library, New York; the Organisation of American States’ Twenty Fourth Inter-American Congress of Ministers & High-Level Authorities of Tourism (2018), Guyana Marriott Hotel. In 2016, he exhibited in VISIONS Exhibition 2016 and later helped to organise subsequent installments of the said exhibition.

Tana Yussuff Tana Yussuﬀ is an environmentalist by profession and has been lucky to travel to many remote parts of Guyana where her passion for photography developed. During her expeditions into the interior, she would use her camera phone to capture all of nature’s beauty. Her photographic eye has since grown to encompass Guyanese culture and environment while still taking pictures of the nature. She believes that we take pictures to record our personal view of the world. Tana has been an active member of Guyana Photographers’ Facebook Group for about one year now.

Brian Gomes is a Guyanese photographer. For many years, photography had been a hobby/side hustle for Brian. However, after losing his job in 2017, he made a decision to turn photography into his career, focusing on wedding photography/video. Over the years, he has ventured into many diﬀerent genres of photography but is widely known for his work with nude art photography and the popular Made in Guyana nude calendar. Brian's work has been exhibited in the Organisation of American States (OAS) Indigenous Perspectives, twice in the Guyana Visual Arts Competition & Exhibition, Capture Guyana Photography Competition, and Visions Exhibition.

Walk Leaders Biographies

Brian Gomes

10 TENTH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTOWALKS VOLUME 1 - June 6th-7th, 2020

P R O D U C T I O N