Keiba Jacob Mottley, the new president of the Art Society of TT, is excited about her new position and ready to take the organisation to the next level.
She recalled being asked to be a candidate for president in January 2021, but her initial response was negative, as she felt she did not have the time to take on another responsibility.
She is one of two procedural clerks and head of the Financial Scrutiny Unit of Parliament, as well as the curator of the Rotunda Gallery at the Red House.
But she thought about it, eventually agreed and was elected at the end of March for a three-year term.
Jacob Mottley told Sunday Newsday she wants the Art Society to be a place where people in the visual arts community can feel comfortable and respected. She would like to turn it into a space to promote members and their work, as well as gallery exhibitions, and bring everyone in the community together.
She wants it to be a space where people can find out what is happening in the world of art, and learn about upcoming and established artists.
“I see the Art Society as being the promoter of visual art in TT – art, not artists. So buyers and corporate society could be members.
[caption id="attachment_970809" align="alignnone" width="668"] Keiba Jacob Mottley, the new president of the Art Society of TT. - AYANNA KINSALE[/caption]
"If we could all come together to promote visual art – painting, sculpture, photography, videography, digital art and so on – to help develop and deepen the appreciation of visual art in TT, it would also force the practitioners to deepen their practice.”
However, she does not expect to do it alone.
The all-new board has already started churning out ideas and Jacob Mottley is eager to give everyone the opportunity to be heard and let their visions come together.
The board includes vice president Kevin Kenny, an art collector; secretary Chantal Quamina; treasurer Junnel Lewis, who previously served in the position for a year; and directors Christine Norton, Jason Nathu, Tracey Alonzo, Jeannine Crouch and Anika Plowden-Corentin.
She believes they have an interesting journey ahead of them as they are all excited and ready to work hard.
She said the Art Society is made up of people she believes are a reflection of the composition of the people of TT. Even though, at the moment, members are mainly artists and a few art collectors, they are people of different ages, races, genders and occupations. But there are plans to launch a membership drive in September.
[caption id="attachment_970810" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mother Gaia, a mixed media sculputure by Emma Hardy, on display at the Rotunda Gallery, Red House in March 2021. Keiba Jacob Mottley is the gallery's curator. - AYANNA KINSALE[/caption]
“All of these people feel that they have a space and an opportunity at the Art Society. And we as artists have our share of fears and insecurities, that’s why we want to encourage people to come out and see the work. If you don’t like it, tell us. If you like it, tell us. If you lov
