Meet artist Nelson Horipua
THERE are those whose achievements are often celebrated.
Equally but regrettably, there are those whose attainments deemed insignificant and often gone unnoticed despite their importance to society.
One such group is our artists, whose works received little or no accolade regardless of their economic contributions.
This may be because of our society’s obsession with politics and commerce or could be a result of pure underestimation of their contributions to nation building.
Hailed from Hauhui village in West Are’are of Malaita Province, Nelson Horipua has been in the art industry long enough to be labeled a professional in his own right.
Nelson is the seventh of a family of seven.
He has four brothers and two sisters.
His primary school years were spent at his local school at his home village before spending the next three consecutive years at Su’u National Secondary School on Malaita.
Now at 48, Nelson is married with six children.
His interest for graphic creativity started early in life.
Though self-taught at first, he is intuitively confident of his ability to make it big time if he continues to develop and grow in this industry.
Even in his primary school days, Nelson’s love and knowledge of art is evident.
Often he is asked to help out in class to draw diagrams and or cartoons to illustrate certain school works.
Although not part of the curriculum, Nelson’s childhood interest in art grew amongst regular subjects such as math and English.
He also assisted his teachers to create posters for subjects such as Science, Social Science, health, Agriculture and Industrial Studies.
As his knowledge and skill grow with his education and age, he is given even tougher tasks such as drawing of cartoons, caricature and even illustrations for books and magazines.
His talent was first noticed by Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), a Non-Government Organization that employed him to work as a graphic artist and cartoonist for their magazine which was locally circulated.
Nelson spent 18 years of his professional life with the organization as their only illustrator for their then comic magazine which aimed at arming and empowering people with information that would help better their lives.
It was whilst working with SIDT that he met the likes of Kenny McAuther, a Scottish volunteer artist who helped him expanded his horizon in art.
Nelson also had the opportunity of working together with well renowned local artist such as the late Charles Manata, Nelson Kohia, Joe Sale and Eddie Pipimauri.
These local artists have been excellent mentors and teachers who helped broaden his knowledge and made him who he is today.
Nelson was also privileged to be part of a project undertaken by the late Dr John Naitoro, a book on “Are’are Culture and Cosmology” where he was instrumental in the much needed illustration and graphic works of the book.
Nelson is much more prominent locally for his cartoon section in the local print media notably the “Solomon Star” that featured much of his work.
His daily caricatures capture major political issues and events in the country.
In 2003, Nelson ventured into computer graphics with particular specialization in Photoshop application.
Photoshop has helped immensely in books and magazine illustrations.
This application also reduces the amount of time spent on projects because it is efficient and effective.
This newly acquired skill helped him to move from manual to digital graphic.
This transformation widened his marketability in the modern Solomon Islands resulting in him being engaged by government ministries, non-government organizations and the private sector.
Nelson’s expertise is also noticed and recognized beyond Solomon Islands.
His work is also featured in United Nation Human Right, Commonwealth Youth Foundation, UNICEF and South Pacific Commission booklets and pamphlets.
His excellence in canvas painting does not come as surprise.
He is an expert in oil painting both in graphic and abstract versions.
Nelson has produced some fine oil paintings in the recent past that depict myths and folklores of Are’are.
He is adamant that by keeping these stories alive through art would give future generations a sense of history in this dynamic and ever changing society.
Nelson sees art as a way of preserving culture.
Unlike oral tradition where stories can be susceptible to change, history on canvass can outlive and maintain its integrity for generations.
Despite the cost associated with art, Nelson is happy because he is giving something back to society.
When I caught up with him in his studio at Vara Creek, Nelson was busy putting final touches to his oil paintings.
Of the few local artists who were chosen to be part of Solomon Islands contingent to Guam last year, Nelson was one of them.
Nelson’s love for eye catching colors is reflected through his works and his ability to mix several paints to produce a new color is exceptional.
Nelson’s transition from one medium of art to the next is as smooth as silk.
This could be attributed to his life-long interest in art. Seeing him putting the finer and intricate details as finishing touches is an art to behold.
Asked what his plans were, Nelson said that he is contemplating collaboration with the local artists to put on a week-long exhibition to coincide with the next tourist boat in the Visitors Bureau’s calendar.
Nelson does not only paint, he is also a fine musician.
He is a multi-instrumental player with excellent guitar skills.
If one instrument he could be known for, that would the lead guitar.
Nelson’s dexterity on the guitar is a sight of admiration.
His “Oneness Band” that often graces the airwaves on Sundays is a testament to this multi-talented artist.
Though of shy and reserve nature, Nelson is an out-going and a captivating story teller.
Nelson’s attention for the minute of details is phenomenal and his art often portrays his rich Are’are culture and the world around him from his artistic perspective.
Nelson’s popularity has made his art some of the most sought after even by serious art collectors.
His humble childhood passion has grown out of obscurity to a huge money earner, something Nelson cherished and forever thankful.
He has worked at his unique and complex style over the years and anyone with an eye for art would agree that Nelson is a true professional in his own right.
His works are feasts for the eyes and his creativity is second to none.
By SAMSON SADE
