Known for his sometimes cutting insightful and always engaging wit, multi-hyphenate artist Nala, launched two art comic books and opened an exhibition of associated work featuring paintings and drawings at the Queen’s Park Gallery on Saturday, April 27, and ends this Saturday, May 11.
The project was supported by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) through the Business Development and the Cultural Development departments.
Nala’s work spans a range of avenues be it stand-up comedy, social media posts, paintings or drawings. His De Hard Ride exhibition showcases, on the page and on the walls, many of his recurring themes and observations. Dynamic and colourful large canvas pieces, often inscribed with text, and black ink prints tackle issues of class and the human animal.
The eponymous De Hard Ride book, partially funded through the NCF’s Cultural Industries Development Fund, features a fictional cast of characters inspired by users of public transportation. In De Hard Ride, Chronicles by Nala, readers will meet, Grunt, I-Mite, Grans and many others.
The second publication being launched is the pocket sized, The Philosophy & Opinions of the $2 Philosopher, a sometimes comedic but always thought provoking compendium of proverbs from The $2 Philosopher.
Both are published by Story Shyft and will be available for sale at the opening, and during the exhibition, as well as at Black Rock Booksand The Barbados Museum & Historical Society’s gift shop.
The book has received favourable reviews:
- “One of those books you should grab one of, and one to share with friends.” – Beyond Caribbean Publishers.
- “His sense of the ridiculous and its role . . . is reminiscent of (Terry) Pratchett at his finest, and I do not say this lightly.” – Education Officer at Barbados Museum & Historical Society Kaye Hall.
- “I enjoyed all of his witticisms and philosophies but this particular one had me in my feels…” Dreams are often hardest to believe in when they begin to come true”. – Award winning author Shakirah M. Bourne.
Nala is an actor, writer, teacher, and visual artist. He was born in England to Barbadian and Tobagonian parents. He grew up and lives in Barbados.
Story Shyft is a literary based interactive media and experience design company; they shyft stories beyond the book with audiobooks, animation, games, and comics.
The Exhibition viewing continues until May 11, 2024, opening 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday. For more information, please contact The Queen’s Park Gallery Curator, Oneka Small at 429-3117.
For more information on the publications, you may contact Ayesha Gibson-Gill of Story Shyft at reachus@storyshyft.com or via WhatsApp 2449498.