Guy Beckles, a 72-year-old kinetic artist from Trinidad and Tobago, is working toward his dream of opening a kinetic art gallery to showcase his unique artistic style and pass on his extensive knowledge to emerging artists. The late cultural icon Pat Bishop once described Beckles as "one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets," and now he's on a mission to change that by making his art more widely accessible.
Beckles brings nearly five decades of artistic experience to his work, having dabbled in art for almost 50 years while also serving as a secondary school teacher for 26 years. A graduate of Queen's Royal College (QRC) in Trinidad and Dartmouth College in the United States where he studied visual arts, Beckles now lives and works in Delray Beach, Florida. His kinetic art style has been shaped by extensive travels throughout North India, North Africa, Western China, and Europe.
The artist has exhibited his work internationally, with shows in London, New York, Washington DC, Boston, Toronto, Florida, and his birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago. Nimah Zakuri, curator of the Central Bank Museum who has supported Beckles over the years, notes that the kinetic artist has devoted most of his life to pursuing and producing kinetic art. Beckles' choice of kinetic art as his medium seems particularly fitting given Trinidad and Tobago's renowned Carnival culture, with its emphasis on masqueraders, colorful costumes, and rhythmic movement.
Kinetic art, which is characterized by movement, allows Beckles to incorporate the Carnival-like elements of motion, creativity, and vibrant colors into his pieces. Two of his recent exhibitions in Trinidad took place at Central Bank and Arnim's Art Galleria, where he collaborated with over 20 of Trinidad and Tobago's leading artists. For these exhibitions, Beckles provided each participating artist with a blank canvas made from PVC pipes that move, challenging them to create stories that come alive when the pieces are in motion.
Bishop once described Beckles as "a voice crying in the wilderness," highlighting his unique position as one of Trinidad's best-kept secrets. Now eager to share his skills with others, Beckles has set an ambitious goal: "to establish a kinetic gallery/museum here in Trinidad where we can showcase a large selection of differing forms of kinetic art." His vision extends beyond simple exhibition space to include educational opportunities and community engagement.
"A place where we can offer workshops, mentor other potential kinetic artists and collaborate with artists in different genres who want to incorporate movement in their work," Beckles explained. "Such a museum would present the opportunity in a very tangible way, to give back to the society and to train others – open the hearts, minds and hands, especially those of the next generation." He is also willing to create customized art pieces for schools and corporations throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Earlier this year, Beckles demonstrated his commitment to educational institutions by mounting a piece on the Queen's Royal College compound, dedicating it to the college's iconic main building, which is one of the most recognizable structures in Trinidad. When describing his artistic philosophy, Beckles reveals the depth and complexity of his work: "My work is often reflective of a society's dynamics – the ethnic, cultural, political and social constructs. I seek, explore and ponder the duality of life, the ying and yang, the ebb and flow."
The artist's goals for viewer engagement are equally thoughtful and multifaceted. "I hope to evoke curiosity and amazement, where the viewer asks how, why, where and when about each piece, or smiles or remembers a childhood memory," Beckles said. "I want viewers to be aware that my work is whimsical yet profound; simple yet effective; complicated yet therapeutic; soothing yet disturbing."
Art enthusiasts will have opportunities to experience Beckles' work at his upcoming exhibitions. His next show will be held at Island Space Caribbean Museum in Broward Mall, Florida, running from November 22 through January 18. Following that, he will exhibit at Arnim's Art Gallery in San Fernando from March 2-27. Those interested in supporting Beckles' venture to open a museum and create opportunities for the next generation of artists can contact him at gkebeck@yahoo.com or by phone at 1-929-272-9234.
