A Year Of Art

We passed the hues of the last sunset of 2013 and its colours transcended to first dawn of 2014. Arts & Education continues on the path of artistic stimulation, constant discoveries and a creative journey.

We would like to take this opportunity to showcase the editor's picks for the year, and to thank our readers for their continued support. Wish you all a blessed 2014.

❏ Intarsia - Painting with wood

The atmosphere under the crisp Caribbean sunshine at Barbados Crop Over craft market was reminiscent of fun and frolic. Tucked away from the excitement, Mario Smith displayed the intarsia art he creates.

Necessity is the mother of all invention, it is said, and Smith, who worked as a joiner - making doors, windows, and kitchen cupboards - had to stay home after his son was born.

❏ Art of Sushi - The edible Zen garden

It's as austere as its land of origin, yet complex and intriguing, pressed, meticulously laid out, rolled and neatly cut. Sushi is often referred to as a Zen garden, savoured not only by the taste buds but its neatness, presentation and colours are relished by the eyes.

❏ Interesting Ikebana

"Ikebana can be done anywhere by anyone. There are no national or ethnic boundaries. Like flowing water or drifting clouds, Ikebana spreads throughout the world ... ," is a petal from the diary of Kadensho, The Book of Flowers by Sofu Teshigahara, the first Iemoto, or grand master of the Sogetsu School, who is credited with revolutionising Ikebana, the traditional Japanese flower arranging.

❏ Red Bull gives you wings

The Red Bull Art of Can/Art of Carnival competition oozed creative juices, which centred on creating costumes using Red Bull cans as the primary material.

Nicolette Answer and Traci Wong, students of Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Kingston, recalled that their mission was to get as many cans as possible.

❏ Divine Origami

"Even a sheet of paper has two sides," goes a Japanese proverb, which epitomises the strength in the delicateness of paper. It goes beyond to recognise the source, the nature - trees the paper comes from.

Paper takes shapes and forms by intricate movement of hand - from cranes, pianos, lilies, to a jumping frog. The time-honoured Japanese art of origami goes beyond making intricate and delicate designs.

❏ Beautiful Bonsai

Labour of boundless patience, care and love

"Discipline is rooted in Japanese society," says Kaori Saito, cultural officer at the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica. "You follow rules, concentrate on what you do and communicate often with yourself."

Saito's words capture the essence of bonsai, an ancient Japanese art form taking root in Jamaica - figuratively and literally.

❏ Street art - Transforming walls into conversational pieces

Painting a mural is a multi-pronged, labour-intensive process involving meticulous planning and execution. First, the space on which the mural will be painted has to be examined, measurements taken and the surface quality has to be checked. The wall might need prepping before any work can begin.