Mark of the Hand

Directed by Imruh Caesar, 1987
NR; Documentary; 53 minutes

In conjunction with the Feeling Color: Aubrey Williams and Frank Bowling exhibition, join us for a screening of Mark of the Hand, a documentary about Aubrey Williams’s return to his homeland, Guyana, on a "journey to the source of his inspiration." The title comes from the indigenous Arawak word timehri (the mark of the hand of man), which Williams equates to art itself. The film also depicts Williams’s stop at the Timehri International Airport, as it was then known, in the capital city of Georgetown, where the artist restored an earlier mural and was honored by President H.D. Hoyte.

Filmed toward the end of Williams’s life and narrated by Guyanese actor Norman Beaton, the film offers rare insight into life outside of Georgetown—what Williams calls "the real Guyana." Before moving to England in 1952, the artist had been sent to work as an agricultural field officer on a sugar plantation in the jungle. This trip was his first chance in four decades to revisit the region and the indigenous Warao people that had been formative influences on his work. Challenging the poor treatment of indigenous Guyanese, Williams explored the potential of art to change attitudes. Venturing far beyond his British studio, this film puts his work into vibrant context.

This event is free and open to the public. Screening will be held in the Modern’s auditorium.

Exhibition Films is a series that showcases the concept of ‘art in motion.’ The selections will include artist-created films, documentaries about artists, and films that explore themes related to our permanent collection and special exhibitions. At select screenings, attendees can engage in discussions and participate in Q&A sessions.