The art of fine art

Desmond Henry

TREASURE BEACH:

K. PATRICK BYLES must certainly be one of Jamaica's most accomplished graphic communicators. He designs not just to convey messages, but to ennoble the senses as well. His works are not just feast for the eyes; they are companions for the soul.

I first met Pat Byles when, as one of the founding members of the original Government Public Relations Office (now JIS) in the mid-1950s, I had to liaise with the advertising agency Art and Publicity, at which he worked as one of their graphic designers. His ability to convey concepts into artistic form helped make his company one of the leaders in media, billboard and visual advertising. He could design not just with his hands, but also with the flow of his words - the conjuring up of a spectre. In this regard I place him and the late Gerry Dunlup as two of the best and most influential artistic expressionists this country has ever produced. We struck up quite a relationship.

I lost touch with Pat for a while. I went abroad to study, work and prepare myself for a life in public relations and marketing. When I returned and in 1970 opened Jamaica's first professional public relations firm, it was just a matter of time before our paths would cross again. I sought him out artistically for both inspirational and commercial reasons. By then he had set up his own design studios, and I would drop by every now and then to try and craft visual treatment to a new idea. I have often surmised regretfully, that if I could even as much as make two lines cross each other on paper, I could probably become famous for putting ideas into form. But that was not to be. Graphically I am all thumbs.

Today Pat Byles and his wife Claudia run one of the most singularly attractive art design and merchandising studios I have ever witnessed anywhere, at their home at 3 Devon Close in Kingston. He calls it Artventures International. It might just as well be called Studio Jamaica. The place is an indescribable collection of all his works in paintings, photography, lithography, carvings, pottery, mugs, dinnerware, you name it. Their designs, quality and presentation separate them from the usual clutter that passes for art and craft in Jamaica. In fact they are in a class by themselves. As if to preserve their class and non-contamination, Pat has patented the marketing label 'Aristocraft' to help guide the potential buyer searching for sophistication and selectivity.

With such a leap in creativity and design, you would think that his works would be a natural product among the choices that go with the brand name Jamaica around the world. Not so. Pat has lamented the tepid responses that he has received from marketing agencies like JAMPRO, TPDCo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their roles in merchandising and brand marketing, he says, remains remarkably unhelpful. I would think for example, that to have the works of an artist like Pat Byles displayed in the meeting rooms of our Embassies and High Commissions worldwide, would be another way of contrasting that what nature has done for us on our beaches, our artists are doing in our galleries. And it would not matter what potential buyers are looking for, we would be able to present from the most ordinary to the most highly sophisticated. In an era when art is no longer something just to look at but a means of stimulating thought and measuring taste, the works of artists like Pat Byles and others should be viewed and digested easily and often. His gallery is an extraordinary centre for artistic digestion and should become a tour stop for visitors, Jamaicans, and all who appreciate fine art.

CASSAVA PANCAKES

And speaking about food for digestion. I had a first taste of locally produced cassava pancakes this week. They're exceptional.

I had heard of the emergence of cassava flour for pancakes but had never tasted them. Last Sunday FAO and RADA held their World Food Day service at the church I normally attend, St. Peters in Pedro Plains. After service they merchandised some products including the pancake flour. The speciality cook that I am, I took a package home for trial. The result was astounding. I understand the product is produced in conjunction with the Heart Academy at their Ebony Park plant near May Pen.

With all the experimental work going on with cassava throughout the world, I am told that it will be just a matter of short time before the cassava and its by-products are declared a special kind of dietary health supplement, challenging long established ones like wheat and others. Boy, wouldn't that be something in our neck of the woods.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

If at first you don't succeed, try reading the instructions again.

Back to Commentary