Nzimbu Browne: Depicting the rhythm of Vincentian life

There is a special rhythm in this part of Kingstown. It is a steady beat that refuses to be ignored, rising above the hum of conversations passing by; the clamour of vendors hawking their goods; the rumble of the Bay Street traffic. 

It is the determined clash of drumsticks against a wooden stool, beating out musical accompaniment to the stories of Vincentian life told in pictures made from the discarded remains of the banana plant, stories which have resonated with the public, as they have selected the artist and drummer, Nzimbu Browne, as the Best Craft Maker in SVG.

Nzimbu refers to his work as banana art craft, and explained with pride that he uses ‘rubbish’ to tell stories about the history, heritage, traditions, culture and environment of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

He has been creating this type of art since 1985, and although he did not invent it, he has given it his personal touch of creativity and raised awareness about it at home and abroad.

“Someone was doing it before, which is Ras Bandy. Almost 30 years now he is in Ethiopia. He is world class. As far as I understand from people who been there and see him, he doing well. So, I learned from him, and I developed my own thing, using the different shades and tones and textures of the banana leaf,” he said. 

Banana art is an environmentally sustainable practice, which Nzimbu calls his survival kit, since he makes his living from it. He doesn’t use any additional colours, opting for only the shades that occur naturally. “It’s brown, one colour, but different shades of brown. It’s processed by wind, rain and sun and up until this time, most of the people who interested in buying, they prefer the natural tones and shades and textures of the banana leaf because it means something to them. They seeing natural, wasted material put into value and put into artistic forms, which they appreciate a lot,” he explained.

Nzimbu considers the work itself as an achievement. In addition to earning income through recycling, he takes pride in the stories he tells through his art, which he describes as an expression of Vincentian culture and heritage.

“I try to develop themes and ideas from what is left, so I have here expressions of faces, the botanical gardens, the petroglyphs, the different parishes, the island itself – the shape, industry, entertainment, religion, sports, everything artistic; that is what I try to express, so when people see the work, they can learn things and know what is the expression and stories of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” he stressed. 

He was recently part of the Vincentian delegation to Carifesta in Barbados, where he said his work was widely embraced, although he did not sell many pieces.

“They showed great appreciation. They like what they see, they like the quality, but other than that, they didn’t bend they hand in they pocket and pull out the Bajan dollar,” he laughed. 

As for being considered the best craft maker in the country, Nzimbu said, “This is a great opportunity for me. I feel good about it because local people appreciate my work. It’s always nice to have your own people appreciating what you do.”

He is also encouraging persons to practice banana art.

“Anybody in St Vincent and the Grenadines, from a three-year old child, can do it. They don’t have to do it like me. They can put their own expression to the work and use they own shades and tones and textures to create their own thing. Anybody can do it.  It’s the easiest thing. Easier than saying yuh prayers.”

Nzimbu sells his creations on Fridays and Saturdays outside the Bonadie building on Bay Street. He can be contacted at telephone numbers 531-2897 and 457-1677, or email nzimbu2000@yahoo.com