Contributed
Untitled works by Sebastian Elliott on display at Northern Caribbean University.

A beautiful wave of music fills the air. He stands moving his hand across the whiteboard in strokes that match the rhythm of the classical music in the background. The audience looks on in awe at the dramatic and striking picture he reveals as the music reaches a crescendo. At the end, the audience, amazed by the drawing, stands and cheers in appreciation.

This is just one of the many performances, that Sebastian Elliott has done. That particular performance entitled, 'The Creation of Adam', wowed audience at a recently held function at the college with his 'gesture drawing' creations.

This art enthusiast who believes his work is an extension of himself, has done many 'gesture drawing' performances and exhibitions not only in Jamaica but in other parts of the Caribbean and the Americas.

Latest endeavour

Elliot, a second-year art major, has already done exhibitions at the National Gallery of Jamaica, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), and the Jamaica Guild of Fine Artists Gallery. His latest endeavour is an exhibition mounted in the Hiram S Walters Resource Centre (NCU Library) at the university's main campus in Mandeville, Manchester.

"Art can be used to shape the behaviour and feelings and to influence moods," says Elliott. He pointed to this thought as the reason for having this exhibition, stating that the exhibition was "to serve as therapy for students using the library".

Entitled 'Art Therapy', the exhibition was mounted in the final week of April and would have lasted for two weeks. It showcased some of Elliot's pieces, including landscapes and portraits, one of which is entitled 'The Journey of a Man', and depicts various stages of Elliot development, from his childhood through to adulthood.

The work of this young artist has not gone unnoticed. He was lauded by former prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, and was also commissioned to paint a portrait of her.

Elliott has received four awards of merit and one bronze medal in the JCDC competition between 2005 and 2007.

Although a full-time university student and full-time art teacher at Belair High School, he still manages to maintain excellent grades.

Influences

The budding artist is influenced by Dutch master Rembrandt, French artist Ingres, Italy's Michelangelo, English artist William Turner, and English painter John Constable.

Elliott's best-known works at NCU are his gesture drawings depicting the passion of Christ and the creation of Adam, done to classical music and soundtracks like Strike of Lightning and Thunder, which, according to him, allows "viewers to vicariously experience what his subject depicts".

The artist who is motivated by his mother, says in the next five years he sees himself "participating in international exhibitions, writing art textbooks and having a television programme which focuses on helping people to be aware of the purpose and the reasons for creating art".