Outstanding Guyanese/ Surinames youth #14 Artist Kudzo A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table before him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining open areas of the jar. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous yes. Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things (your family, your partner, your health, and your children things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full). The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Very meaningful words and a very important lesson imparted by this professor, this teacher. But what does it mean to be a teacher? What does it mean to learn? The name Camara comes from the Bantu dialect of West Africa and means teacher or one who teaches with experience. Artist Kodzo Wilkinson born in Suriname to Guyanese parents is a teacher by profession but an artist at heart. His teaching career began about 9 years ago as an art teacher at Queens College, one of the most prestigious High Schools in Guyana. There he spent one year and then continued to teach at Marian Academy, another top high school, for 8 years. Kodzo then returned to Suriname, the land of his birth, to pursue his passion, to do what truly makes him happy… During his tenure at Marian Academy, Kodzo truly made an impact in the lives of his students. Apart from teaching his craft, he founded the Design Club and headed the Chess Club. This brother gave students tools to think outside the box, he brought out their creativity and pushed the limits of their imagination. In the process the impressionable Teenage students learned to be more disciplined and more responsible, and that says a lot. This brother is kind, selfless, considerate and also determined, outspoken yet he is not to tell it like he sees it even if its not what others see. His sister fondly recalls growing up with Kodzo. “I learned to be helpful to others, to be kind to others; many times he would pull me into his schemes to surprise others or do good deeds for them. Kodzo taught me to bake, design and decorate. From fashion, to make-up, to relationship advice, he taught me to be bold, to be more confident in myself and to stand up for myself. The list goes on.” But without knowing it, most of Kodzos own experiences were learning lessons for his sibling. His decision to leave everything behind and come back to Suriname to make his dream a reality in itself proved how brave and fearless he fearless he really is in pursuit of his happiness and his dreams. His every work offers a learning experience to those who dare to be determine, persevere, sweat and make beautiful things happen. But Kodzo wasn’t born a teacher. Although being given the name Camara at birth might suggest so, and that by becoming a teacher his destiny was fulfilled. Kodzo was born an artist…what he was destined to do. Kodzo was born in Suriname on 14th July, 1980 to Guyanese parents. He grew up in Dijkveldt and from a young age Kodzos creative and artistic talents were evident. Playing shop and drawing on paper was always fun according to his sister because he would always come up with interesting ideas for games to play. He also loved to draw cartoon characters, and that he did well. Later his mom sent him to art school during the summer and that was what really catapulted Kodzos interest in the arts. Throughout the years his artistic talents only got better. After completing high school in Guyana, Kodzo went on to study at the Burrowes School of Art where in 2004 he graduated with a distinction and was even given the best student award. Kodzo’s artistic style can best be described as bold, daring, unique and always fresh. This truly talented brother had our ups and downs and is still fighting many battles internally as he observes the world externally …but then again who doesn’t have those? Kodzo is 21 years old.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 15:31:39 +0000
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