Interview with Angela “Proshka” Gegg, Featured Belizean Artist
Belize News Post Interviews Angela “Proshka” Gegg, Featured Belizean Artist
First, I would like to thank you Angela for taking to the time to speak with us. Belize News Post is happy to have this opportunity to speak with you. Angela you are the first artist to speak with us, so for some background it may be helpful to know that part of our mission statement at Belize News Post is, “bring the news of Belize to the people of Belize.” We think it is important to think of Belizean cultural production i.e. art, as an essential part of that mission. That’s where you come in. Belize News Post is interested in getting handle on what makes Belizean art and artists unique. Hopefully, these questions will get us in that arena.
Belize News Post
Can you give us a short run down of what it is that you do? Tell us about what you make or produce. Obviously, we are aware of your youtube video series, your paintings, poems and other works, but can you tell us more about your practice for the benefit of our readers?
Angela Gegg
Im an artist, poet (spoken word artist), and TV personality in Belize. As an artist, I find it necessary to be inventive, self-expressive, searching, daring, even disturbing, and in doing so, I am hoping to enlighten others and open ways for a better understanding of my art. I speak my mind, some people love me for it and others loath me for my pure and utter honesty, that’s life!
Belize News Post
We know that among other things you are a poet, Belize News Post re-published a piece called “If Da So You Stan”, which deals with gossip and pretenders. We get the sense that you are really concerned with issues of identity. Is this right?
Angela Gegg
That is Right…and that’s all I have to say about that (for now).
Belize News Post
Many of know you as the artist “Proshka”, why do you use this pseudonym or stage name?
Angela Gegg
Whether you see a work of art signed as Angela Gegg or as Proshka, they are one and the same. The name Proshka is derived from my Latvian heritage. It was taken from the maiden name of my grandmother, Lia (Praskevic) Tattersfield. My grandmother left her hometown of Latvia when she met my grandfather, Tom Tattersfield. They both moved to Belize in 1948, making it their home, and starting a family; one of their three children was and is Deborah (Tattersfield) Gegg, my mother. (the rest is history)….. I never did have the pleasure of spending much time with her as breast cancer took her life when i was only two. As a tribute to her, I took her name, Praskevic pronounced (proshka – vicks), and shortened it to PROSHKA, and have used it ever since…To break it down – its a family thing! Gotta REPRESENT…
Belize News Post
Do you have any thoughts on being an artist in Belize? Or are there issues that are unique to being an artist in Belize?
Angela Gegg
Do you really want me to go there?!?
Belize News Post
What’s the art scene like in Belize?
Angela Gegg
We need more artist to step up and out! More galleries, institution’s, and educational means…
Belize News Post
We already touched on concerns with identity, how do you see your role or identity as an artist? What is your role as a Belizean artist?
Angela Gegg
To uplift and motivate our women of Belize
Belize News Post
Tell us more about your past show “Hott Chicks Can Paint To“, what is your experience of being a woman artist ? Are there unique obstacles for a woman artist or just being a woman in Belize?
Angela Gegg
“Hott Chicks Can Paint Too” is only one of my many solo exhibits, opened by the then Prime Minister (Said Musa). The show was a group of subconscious works of art was opened by the Honorable Sir Colville Young, our Governor General. I have also exhibited at the Princess Hotel and out-district in San Pedro. As an artist in a country that is severely lacking in ART, it has not been an easy road. Often times I feel like throwing in the towel and moving on to somewhere that will more appreciate my work BUT at the end of the day given the positive feedback I get from our countries youth, I tend to persevere.
Belize News Post
Do you have any shows coming up? Any other events you would like to share with our readers? Anything you would like to add?
Angela Gegg
November 13th, 2009 – at the Mexican institute of Culture & History I am having a full exhibit called IMPULSE and another book launching, titled ARTIST CONFESSIONS
Belize News Post
Thanks again for you willingness to contribute to what we are doing at belizenewspost.com.
For more information about Angela Gegg visit her websites. Angela Gegg’s Homepage Angel’s “pure art” website Proshka.com
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