The son of renowned Jamaican artist Barrington Watson, Basil Watson has followed in his father’s footsteps. His unique treatments of the human form have been displayed in his birthplace of Jamaica and around the world including the United States, China and Guatemala. Watson’s work is part of Gallery Guichard’s latest exhibition that is guaranteed to draw collectors to his work.
You have been sculpting and creating art for four decades. Are there still elements about the art that you are still learning or would you say you have mastered the technique?
I am very comfortable with my technique but never complacent. While I feel that I have a mastery of representing the human figure, I am always searching for a better understanding of my subjects, while at the same time the medium of choice carries challenges that are inherent in it and requires constant practice to remain on point. For example, drawing requires constant practice to maintain hand/eye coordination.
That being said, there are very few times when I feel that I have done all that I can and am completely satisfied; therefore, I am always pushing to see how I can get more into my creations.
What inspires you to create?
I am inspired by people, the human form as an expressive vehicle of the human spirit. My art has led me to a greater understanding of people and myself and it’s the positive attributes that I find in people that inspire me to dig deeper.
What do you want audiences to see in your work?
I want people to see the expression of the human spirit in my work, to see the positive attributes that make us beautiful, strong, intelligent, loving, and that which draws us together, makes us connect and make us one with life. I want to make the audience feel and think, think and feel, about the world but most importantly about them.
What would you say is the relationship between artist and the audience?
The artist must first connect with himself and find his connection with the world, then and only then can he find a connection with an audience. The artist goes beyond technique, which is only a vehicle, and facilitates a connection for the audience with the environment, the world and themselves. The “visual arts” asks us to look more closely and we will be able to judge the book by the cover.
Gallery Guichard 436 E. 47th Street, galleryguichard.com. Figuratively Speaking runs through Oct. 3, 2015
