Nevisian artist’s portrayal of women’s abuse sends strong message!!

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com

REJECTED:  Vaughn Anslyn depiction of a rejected woman due to sexual abuse

A cross-section of members of the society may raise eyebrows when they see his masterpiece, but Anslyn depicts a common occurrence where vulnerable women and girls become prey of men and face terrible consequences.

The young woman in the drawing is deep in thought, embarrassed, feels alone and rejected.  Apparently, she is not fulfilled in the sexual act that she thought would have satisfied and brought joy to her. This is depicted by the pants that are half way down her legs.

“She is in a state beyond herself. Her self-esteem is reduced. She wears no jewellery,” Anslyn said in an interview. Fortunately, there is hope for the woman and this is implied in the image. Her forehead is illuminated. Vaughn has not left the woman in the dark.

Anslyn’s drawing, done using charcoal instead of a pencil, is dedicated to his daughter Valencia who died in a car accident. He says after his daughter’s death, he became numb.  He was unable to draw and this is the first picture since her death.

Anslyn’s art can be viewed in the murals in various parts on the island. His art is visible on various other formats.

Anslyn is a Nevisian and has developed all his skills on the island of his birth. “I know everything that I know before knowing it,” is his description of his talents and originality.  Vaughn’s technical knowledge is inborn as well.   ~~Adz:Right~~

Apparently, when Anslyn joined the Four Seasons Resort, he was in-charge of Set Up but performed his duties far beyond what was assigned to him. He was recognised for his outstanding performance and dedication and was later promoted. He became the Technical Services Manager; a position that was created because of his abilities. He has since left the Four Seasons Resort and is now self-employed.

Many will agree that lighting and sound are at their best during shows and concerts when he is available to erect the appropriate fixtures and system. He did not acquire his skills through any formal institution of learning. He is a secondary school graduate but, has worked his way up the ladder and became an outstanding male model and had represented the island in regional pageants. He is reputedly a gifted artist and has remarkable technical skills.

The sad fact is that Anslyn is unhappy about how his own people evaluate achievement. 
“People are unable to separate professionalism from personal life. People are scared of developing themselves because of possible rejection. It never used to be like this in the past,” he said.

He complained that he has been labelled often in spite of the services he offers his own people. He has been referred to as “gay”. When he publicly tested for HIV/AIDS, word went around that he had proven positive. Anslyn said he publicly took the test to complement the efforts being made to fight HIV/AIDS.

Yet, he continues to make Nevis proud. He is the person currently working with TEMPO to make a stage ready for the Independence high-profile show. He was the only Nevisian within the cast of the Young Wrestlers shot in 1996 and screened in California.

Anslyn does not claim to be perfect and admits that he, like any other person on the island, has made mistakes but longs for the time when folks would separate achievement, professionalism and performance from petty gossip.

The artist hopes that the drawing he has presented for public viewing would create the right impact. His aim is to portray the abuse of women and to also tell them that they could rise again, as the light illuminating the image shows.