Residencies

CCA7 - Trinidad and Tobago - big River

My partner Richard Bolai and I were asked by the Director of CCA7 (Caribbean Contemporary Arts building #7) Charlotte Elias to be on her Working Team to choose Artists for the second big River Artist’s’ Residency in Grand Rivière. We were also selected to be included among the Trinidad and Tobago Artists. Foreign Artists came from as far away as India - Reena Saini Kallat and as close as Barbados - Annalee Davis it was a sharp learning curve for everyone involved.

Braziers - my second residency and first abroad. I got chicken pox and missed the first week. However I made up for it over the next seven days. It was there that I met the Performance Artist Yingmei Duan whom I credit with assuring me that I was on the right track to pursue the craft.

One of the things that I really appreciated about Braziers apart from really getting the opportunity to experiment with new ideas, meet Artists from all over the world and discuss Art at length was what was done coming down to the last days. The Co-ordinator of the organization spoke to a few of us about our applications to Braziers. He explained how we were chosen and what set us apart. That was excellent feedback.

I learned to not feel rejection when applying for residencies. I realized that so much effort goes into preparing yourself for them and you could be the wrong fit. You want to go to something that will enhance your practice. You are taking time away from your comfort zone of home and studio, so you want to use your time productively. All residencies are not the same. You have to choose wisely and be clear with yourself about why you’d want to give up two weeks, two months and even two years for your Art career.

Hospitalfield - Scotland - my third residency. By this time it became clear that it would be a good fit for me. I met two women who have become very dear to me. Mehreen Murtaza from Pakistan and Lerato Shadi from South Africa. These women were simply brilliant, dynamic practitioners. We just connected and became sisters.

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