Erin Lamp
Galera and other interesting
people
‘Galera and other interesting people’ is a distinctive and
innovative exhibition by Lesley-Ann Noel, which took place on Friday
7th September, at CCA7. The word "galera" in Brazil means a group
of friends. In Trinidad, the same word, 'Galera' is the name of a wonderful
point off the East Coast of the island.
Noel says 'all of the pieces in this exhibition are named after beaches and other coastal places in the North, South, East and West Trinidad where we can meet with our friends. E.g. Galeota lamps, Balandra and Rampanalgas boxes.' This exhibition explores humble materials like vertiver grass, sugar bag, plywood and calabash, and local craft traditions which are used in modern and at times unexpected applications. The works include furniture, lighting, small objects and non-functional experiments in form and texture. Her work is distinctive as she frequently uses local materials, as well as found objects for her pieces. She tries to push the materials that she uses to be a bit different than their usual application. Noel is trained to work with a variety of materials including: metal, plastic, paper and fibreglass. For this exhibition, ‘Galera and other interesting people’ she uses . . . . . . .
On exhibition also are sketches and working drawings, which will allow visitors to see the design development process and the creative process in general for an industrial designer. These will be inspirational to those interested in furniture and design projects.
Noel is one of very few industrial designers on the island. She studied for seven years in Brazil at both undergraduate and graduate levels at Univerdade Federal Do Parana. Her time in Brazil, and her fascination with the country and the Amazon has influenced her personal development as an artist. She designs furniture and 'utilitarian' art for her company Manzanare Design Solutions. Manzanare markets a line of original furniture designed by Noel and manufactured under agreement by Liana Cane Interiors of Guyana.
Noel's work has received international recognition and her work is included in a permanent exhibition in Brazil that promotes the use of Amazon Wood. She returned recently from Aruba? from a . . . ., and participated in the Biennal Internationale Design 2000 in Saint Étienne, France, which was a ‘by-invitation only’.
Noel is a freelance designer and
a lecturer of Design and Portuguese at the University of the West Indies.
ÔGalera and other interesting
peopleÕ was part of CCAÕs continuous programme of exhibitions in the InterAmericas
Space at CCA7 from September 7th Õ01 to October 27th Õ01.