VETERAN AWARD-WINNING ARTIST Omowale Stewart needs no introduction to the artistic world. His creations can be found in galleries, homes and offices across the island as well as abroad.
Stewart, who taught art for many years, has been a recipient of the many awards, including the Crop Over Stalwart Award for his contribution to the visual arts and to Crop Over over the years.
In 1972 he was one of the founding members of DePam (De Peoples Art Movement), and from 1979 to 1984 he worked as a designer and producer of bands. In 1984 he was among the first members of staff of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and that institution’s first cultural officer, visual arts.
In 1986 he was part of the team that introduced Kiddies Kadooment to the festival. Although Stewart resigned from the NCF in 1988 he remained deeply involved in Crop Over, producing and designing Kadooment bands and conducting workshops for the NCF (something he does to this day).
The paintings of his which grace this page were recently on display at Queen’s Park Art Gallery, Pelican Village, where Stewart and Lilian Sten staged an exhibition.
As an artist, Stewart strongly feels that art must go beyond ordinary conception and inspire awe.
According to him, “It must impress the mind, the eye and the soul. Art must be emotionally, intellectually and technically sound.”
Both Omowale and his twin brother Sundiata Stewart have been painting from the early 1970s. (CH)
