GOANS ARE ARTISTIC BY NATURE: HAZEL GOMES For complex historical -- and perhaps unexplained -- reasons you would be hard-pressed to find a Christian goldsmith in Goa. But a lady has been doing the region proud by taking her skills across the globe, and excelling at it.
Says UK-based Hazel Gomes, "My current work has been focussed on new paintings and working as a jeweller. I took up studies in the craft of making jewellery and completed my studies last year from Kensington and Chelsea College." She lives in this borough of London. She has been working for both the English and French Vogue and exhibiting in Paris and London. Gomes also had her house, which she interior-decorated, appear in 'Elle Decoration', 'Maison Franciase' and 'American Vogue'. Her work comes up on Auction on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at Christies' interiors 20th century edition. See http://hazelgomesinvogue.notlong.com and http://hazelgomesinelle.notlong.com Born and raised in Goa (with ties to Cuncolim and Navelim), she lived and worked in Europe as an artist for over three decades. Born in 1949, she studied at Sir J.J.School of Applied Arts, Bombay between 1967-1971 and worked in advertising for a year at ASP at Churchgate, Bombay under art director Eustace Fernandes. Gomes left for the West in 1972, and joined St. Martins School Of Art, London. She started working as an illustrator, exhibited at Mode-Kieren-Mode 1979 (Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art) Amsterdam Holland, and worked in Florence as fashion designer for Roberto Cavalli. She then moved to live and work in Paris. In 1980-1986, she worked for Yves St. Laurent designing jewellery and textiles. A brief online interview with Frederick Noronha. FN: How does it feel to be in Christies? I feel very privileged and honoured to be selling at Christies. It has made my journey as an artist worthwhile FN: How did your earlier auctioned work do? The previous work sold well. Higher than the given estimates to a worldwide audience FN: What are the biggest challenge as a Goan in the global art world? To be original and true to oneself and be accepted on these grounds. FN: Of all your influences in India, which played the most important role in your life? I strongly feel my childhood in Goa was the artistic foundation in my being an artist. On my father's side, my paternal grandmother was from the house of Trindades in Assnora in Bardez. AX Trindade was dean of the J J School of Fine Art. Of course, there was my own artistic encounter as a young student at the JJ School of Applied Arts and then having the chance of working at ASP under Art Director Eustace Fernandes and Marie Pinto who initiated the path to my artistic journey. FN: Which was your most challenging job ever? Why? The most challenging job was to be working for Yves St Laurent as his fashion house was the best in the world and I had to really excel. FN: Is art a good place for a Goan to be in? Why? Yes, Goans are artistic by nature and have it in them to express their huge talents. Francis Newton Souza has proved it, so has Laxman Pai and many others. So I would say, Yes! But, saying this, the talent has to be nurtured from young and the young given opportunities. FN: What are your links with Goa now? My links to Goa are now my daughter and my Goan family and what's left of us. I make it a necessity to come down to Goa to our ancestral village house as often as I can so I can share Goa with my daughter. FN: Would it be possible to mentor locals here, or help build up art institutions back in Goa? Yes, it's possible to build art institutions but there has to be funding from the government or industry. FN: What were the biggest difficulty you faced in getting your quality acknowledged? Breaking boundaries, as my work displays my own distinct style and to have one's style accepted is always difficult. FN: If you had to do this all over again, what would you have done differently? I have had a very exciting career and lifestyle would not change anything. FN: What are your next goals? Perhaps to have a show in Goa. I would come full circle. * * * Suggest an interview, help us understand the Goan global experience better: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or +91-832-2409490 http://fnonfacebook.notlong.com