Randy Chollette is a young Caymanian artist with lots of talent.
He is also a Rastafarian and a musician.
The 29-year-old started to dabble in art as early as 6 years old, but has only been doing serious work for about six years.
At this month’s exhibition in the Grand Lobby of the Westin Casuarina, entitled ‘The Emperor’s Son,’ Mr. Chollette establishes that he belongs in the top rank of Cayman artists.
The exhibition is part of the hotel’s decision to expose its guests to local art and culture and, says Marcus Repp, Director of Food and Beverage, give exposure to local artists.
The painstaking details of his pieces, the attention he pays to texture and detail, and the controlled colouration of his pieces stamp him as someone special.
This is a young man who does not take his painting lightly.
Mr. Chollette shows off a full range of talent, adroitly handling realistic, surrealistic and abstract work.
Wife and business manager Nasaria Suckhoo-Chollette says of her husband: ‘Sometimes I look at a piece of Randy’s work and say to him ‘Randy, that piece is finished.’ ‘
Randy usually responds that it is not.
A week or more of work might pass before he is satisfied with it, she said.
A large gathering of artists and art lovers were at the exhibition and all appeared to enjoy the paintings.
Nancy Barnard and Natalie Coleman, respectively Director and Deputy Curator of the Cayman National Gallery, both told Mr. Chollette that his work was good and that he should keep on painting.
Gordon Solomon, fellow artist and friend of Mr. Chollette, described the exhibition as great. Pedro Theye of Post-It fame said he wanted to be involved in a joint exhibition with Mr. Chollette and other local artists.
Mr. Chollette’s works set him thinking that Cayman is culturally on the move and that, in a sense, it’s time to come out of post-Ivan recovery mode and move toward a cultural renaissance.
Wray Banker has known Mr. Chollette most his life, watching his development as an artist and as a person.
Mr. Banker said he thinks Mr. Chollette should experiment more.
‘Mr. Chollette has come a long way; his technique and style have really come along; I am really proud of him,’ Mr. Banker said.
God-given talent
Mr. Chollette says that his talent is God-given, and praises the Almighty for his gifts.
He speaks of his love for the natural beauty of the Cayman Islands claiming it as his inspiration.
‘I show my love in my paintings,’ he says.
So far in his artistic career he has received the Best in Show award (2000) from the Kensington Lott Gallery show, Blue.
He received a special Commendation Award for second place in Cayman’s annual McCoy Prize art competition (2003).
In 2003 and 2004 he received the People’s Choice Award in the McCoy Prize competition.
In 2004 his submission, ‘Chollette Chalet’, which he describes as a cultural piece, helped him capture first place in the competition. He was also featured artist for the National Gallery’s Art @ Governor’s exhibition.
The Westin exhibition will make way for the work of Gordon Solomon, opening on 6 June.
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