THE Majestic Beast up close.

Published On:Wednesday, October 28, 2009

By MARION WRIGHT

THIS past week after traversing the inner-city streets of central New Providence I felt moved to tell a story about an aggressive and innovative artisan, whose work speaks with total relevance to the current economic climate and the need for cultural reinforcement.

Renaissance craftsman Troy Nixon, who also answers to the name 'Straight Up', captivates through the concept of transforming what is considered refuse, materials mostly from coconut trees, into works of art.

Mr Nixon desires for the craft to be documented and placed within the curriculum of the country's high schools.

He hopes that getting young, fresh and creative minds involved in this genre of expression will, with consistent effort, usher in a new raw material trend within the native craft production industry.

Just consider the role that the straw plait in its harvested form has played since the first vendors proudly displayed their meticulously hand-crafted wares for sale.

Today, the straw plait continues to dominate the craft market scene and remains an integral part of the tourist experience.

By his own admission, 'Straight Up' has only recently broken the surface in this craft that permits imaginary aerobics and creative brazenness.

In 2003, Mr Nixon was the victim of a terrible automobile accident. Doctors told him that he would most likely lose movement in one leg.

Undergoing 12 surgeries, the 38-year-old artist said the accident and its consequences led him to reinvent himself.

With lots of free time to spare as he recovered from his ordeal, Mr Nixon said that he made the crossover from more traditional art forms to his current medium.

He said he was helped in this by the Almighty God.

For the past ten months now, 'Straight Up' said he has been guided by God towards perfecting his craft. He explained that he undergoes a religious rapture at times when he is most productive.

In instances such as these, he said, he cannot focus on anything or anyone else; it is strictly about releasing the creativity within for a higher purpose, he said.

Mr Nixon's works portray a level of skill and ingenuity that is perhaps rivalled in detail by only a practitioner of taxidermy.

When asked about the source of inspiration for each piece, Mr Nixon said it becomes difficult to separate the apparent spirituality that can be seen in the work and the feeling which comes from "the belly."

One of Straight Up's pieces, 'Mother Africa', depicts an African woman in the last trimester of pregnancy. This piece, he said, is the most poignant of his creations.

A few of his subjects depict scenes from the Bahamas' past, particularly from his beloved Exuma.

Mr Nixon's mother hails from Williams Town and his father comes from Farmer's Cay. Smack boats and dinghies were the workhorses for those men who chose to support themselves and their families from what the sea provided by means of fishing, sponging, or cargo delivery.

Wind provided the primary source of power seconded by the technique of 'sculling' - using oars to propel a boat or other craft.

'Straight Up' laments the fact that there are so few authentic Bahamian souvenirs available to tourists, and it is his belief that Bahamians will eventually lose more of our market share as time progresses.

He said he wants Bahamians to think in unconventional terms that may not have factored into past means of producing art.

Mr Nixon is also concerned that too little use of our indigenous materials for the purpose of producing saleable goods could furnish others with the opportunity to discover and develop production techniques resulting in profit without benefits for Bahamians.

So the next time you catch a glance of coconut tree webbing, branch stems, or spent husks, think not only of 'Straight Up', but rather look around further and investigate your surroundings for that next readily available indigenous raw material that will allow you to display your inner brilliance.

Those interested in 'Straight Up's' work can contact him at troystraightup@yahoo.com. The artist will be launching a website later in the year.