Mother Earth being revitalized by the sea This wall painting represents the idyllic paradise called, Mayaro. The artist has made the effort to show the contentment he feels about his country. The painting is expressed by the three Trinity hills which in 1492, Christopher Columbus proclaimed the island as Trinidad. The muralist has a childlike imagination as he portraysMother Earth carved from a mountain at the mouth of the Ortoire river.She is being cooled down by the cascading waterfall which descends from her well pressed hair.
In retrospect, the painting is a sample of the website's mandate, and where the bookmann has instigated street art as a legitimate form of Art in Trinidad and Tobago. As 2007 approaches, Tobago is on the next list and the bookman and Adele look forward to explore other places beyond these shores. We also realised that the bookman is taken very seriously and gauging by Google, the blog's position shows its importance and relevancy in the world of Art along with the responsibility that goes with it. For this we are very thankful. - thebookmann When the bookman started out, the objective was to find a home for images that would eventually lead to a book called The Trinidad Aesthetic. In 2007, the bookman's objective remains the same, to put a coffee table book together of all of the images we see that encourage the question, what is Trinidadian taste, style, habit and culture. We look forward to continuing to bring interest, humour, debate and challenge to those who come across this site.
We also endeavour to continue to look beyond the beaten path in every way. As we have this year in the discovery of a prolific street artist, an over the top sculptor, a young graffiti artist, and all of the unsung heroes of the street trying to make a decent living and making our country the unique place that it is. We also continue to write about artists and other issues of interest, as we endeavour to give art and culture a place where the analysis shall be more about looking and seeing, experiencing and exposure. To all our viewers, even those who say they don't really look at the site- all the very best for 2007 we shall continue to influence the art world in the Caribbean. - Adele
In Princess Town, Trinidad, this lovely wall painting has a keen sense of perspective and detail. The work is located in an abandon lot, and it is enclosed by a fence. The painting advertises Zion Sports Academy. The Kick boxer is posed to lambaste your ass with his leg raised to your eye level. This of cause is called a confu kick, and if your reflex timing is off, the force of it would have had you pelting through the air and landing in the Caroni sugar cane patch.
The rendition exhibits the skill of the painter, and his attention to the sole of his subject's foot, and of his karate rank in uniform. The Black Belt needs to have his foot washed, but me not telling he dat, before meh neck get break ***
"All I want for Christmas is a piece of pork"....from a Christmas melody from Trinidad and Tobago
Freshly killed Pork, Trinidad and Tobago
This is what we Trinidadians call, ah going to the country and people who live in these rural areas make a living by selling home grown vegetables and fruits from wooden sheds along the roadside. Normally, the stalls are unattended and you have to call out or honk your horn to get any attendance. At the junction to Valencia, Trinidad, on such vendor is Mary who sells a variety of homemade pepper sauces and local seasoning called Rooco. This is used to brown any type of meats especially at this festive time where fresh pork is the specialty of the day.
A traditional method of cooking and preparing Ham is to boil the meat in a pitch-oil tin outside in the yard. There is also the method of burying the pork in sand wrapped with fig leaves and covered over with hot stones in a deep pit. The pork takes several hours to cook.
Working from home with natural remedies, Manzanilla, Trinidad
At the hedge of a windy hill, a small plywood dwelling stands on stilts near to the open Atlantic by a beach called Manzanilla. This is a tourist shop which has an assortment of varnished turtle shells and tiger shark jaws including a natural remedy for all ailments for an example, like radiation. Mr. Monilo calls it, Shark and liver oil.
Mr. Monilo manufactures this remedy and works with a zealous sales-pitch performed as an evangelist in front of his congregation. This is in effort to buy something and the entrepreneur makes every attempt to recite all the literature extracted from a medicine book on his desk. His rate of his speech increased as you were about to leave and you could not leave empty handed. The sale of his special shark oil covers the cost of his Puncheon Rum flasks which he uses as Shark and liver oilrefills.
You’re going to dance says Gilles to his client Robert Clarke. These words best described the tattoo of the mystical character Golom tattooed on a sensitive side of his torso. The charcoal like drawing was executed by Mr. Budin five years ago, and Mr. Clarke laments that it was a time when he felt the symbol reflected a side of his personality.
The bookman occasionally comes across someone off the beaten track with a tattoo. In the instance of this person in these photographs, the interest was in an actual post done by the bookman and adele several months ago. This gentleman informed us that he got the recent work from a Italian tattooer Fabizio Divari in Toronto, Ontario. The tattooer worked with Gilles Budin at Tattoo Farm in Trinidad and Tobago, and ended up overstaying his welcome and had to be forced to leave. That in itself is a whole new post that we shall write in the future, the tourist who gets a serious tabanca for Trini...
Anyway, what struck thebookmann with these inkings was the intent of the wearer of the ink. It struck us profoundly first that several months after the tragic death of the very beloved Gilles, here is proof of his 'life' perminantly on the skin of this person, in colours so light and soft they look like watercolours on the skin. But then the Mr. Clarke also has the very unusual image of Golom from Lord of the Rings, an odd choice in a country where most tattoes are celtic or hearts or whatever celebrities say you should have, like guns with your name done over a heart. (Sorry guys, not original or really deeply meaningful, not that a tattoo need be.)
But it is always touching when someone shows you, as this guy did, a very private expression that has several layers of meaning and then is done in such a subtle way. It almost seems too intimate to just display, and that in itself has its own titilation because it covers skin and is yet, somehow very revealing. Written this way, it sounds alot like what happens when one observes good art, you want to observe, but you want to do so privately to capture the meaning, and ultimately you take away with you something that has meaning to you in your way, whatever that chooses to be. - Adele
Parang music may be best described as the sound of scrawling chalk off a blackboard and a dialect too muddled to decipher. Is it Spanish or Trianglish? But at Christmas time the music is contagious and people get into the spirit by swaying to a popular tune and singing a few lines of the broken Spanish, Parang, Parang, Parang, Parang in Trinidad.
It is a tradition for Parang groups to come to your home with a complete orchestra of players. This is a festive time for Trinidadians and Tobagonians to celebrate a sense of community and to take in some festive grog with heavy soaked Black cake after hours of singing.
The video clip is from a secondary school Parang group aired on television in 1998. This gives you a clear example of the tone and pitch of the Trinidadian voice. The whistling and whooping are an attribute to our Spanish heritage, but really is a mocking because the majority of times the singers do not understand what they are singing. Parang is loved by the young and old and by this young shack shack player who shows his enthusiasm as a key player and lady's man.
What a Parang group looks like. From left to right, a box base, shack shack and cuatro player.
The discovered My Space profile of the alledged serial killer in England who was recently apprehended by British police has brought up many questions about expression. Some how it made me think of all people, the British Artist Damien Hirst. Mr. Hirst is known for his preoccupation with death. The images from My Space taken by Mr. Stephens make a chilling example of what artists may want to look at for future shows. My Space has the sort of appeal that is completely open to artists to use as a device of their art, but moreso,with so much exhibitionism by people from all walks of life and spectra, who is to say that more of this strangeness will not inevitably filter into artwork in the very near future.
The Chinese curse, “May you have an interesting Life.” Seems to be the modus operandi of our world today. In the 1990’s we had war as televised. Today we have serial killer and pedophiles as televised. - Adele
A collage of Eric Williams, ten years after Trinidad and Tobago's independence.
"There can be no Mother India for those whose ancestors come from India...There can be no Mother Africa for those of African origin...there is no Mother England and no dual loyalties....there can be no Mother China even if one could agrees to which China is the Mother; and there can be no Mother of Syria or no Mother of Lebanon. A nation, like an individual can have only one Mother. the only Mother we recognize is Mother Trinidad and Tobago and Mother cannot discriminate between her children."
This quote is from the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. Eric Williams believed that no dominant racial group should have preference over another, and that a united people were capability of having a better a fair opportunity for each of its citizens.
Mister, yuh ca fit that boombox in the overhead compartment
"Where else in the World could you see smiles like that? Only in the Caribbean. We’re proud of our Caribbean beauties. But handsome is as handsome does. Our girls aren’t just highly decorative, they are very competent, well trained hostesses who know how to make sure that your trip is an experience you’ll remember…. This goes for all our staff, from the reservations clerk who write out your ticket to the Captain in charge of your sleek, smooth-flying 707 Sunjet. We’re your kind of people. We know what you want from an airline. Dependability, Service Punctuality, Friendliness, Delicious meals."
This 1972 BWIA print Ad shows a classic portrayal of the ethnicity in every race represented in Trinidad and Tobago. Black, White, Yellow and Brown. In a couple of decades, the blend of these peoples will have an ethnicity of their own called TRINIDADIAN. Tobago by that time will be annexed and independence.
Many travelers on BWIA fondly remember of being home as soon as they entered the cabin. It was as if your family or friends had come to greet you. Then there were the antics from two eccentric hostesses named Bobby and Gay. Passengers were entertained by their false fang teeth and plastic lips. And as the Captain banked his plane over the northern range, and over to the Caroni plains, we knew we were safety home as it skimmed over the swaying coconut trees and rusty old galvanize roofs at the edge of the runway.
This gang of easy riders are in front of the Harley-Davidson store in St.James, Trinidad and Tobago.The riders are dressed in Santa Claus suits preparing to leave on a convoy across the country. One very hefty Santa Claus had a bit of trouble stabilizing his motorcycle as he ventured out on to the streets to join his club of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.
The legend behind Santa is that he lives in the far north, but for some reason, Santa Claus has decided to take a Caribbean vacation to show off on his new brand Harley-Davidson motorbike among many admirers.
A panderer with the heart of reason and circumstances
Unaware to the graffiti artist who has painted images of individuals, flowers and birds throughout Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies, he is becoming a bit of a celebrity himself in the art world. The Bookman got a glimpse of the painter as he roamed off a street near the National Museum. The identity of Clinton Anthony Cummings can be described as a middle aged stout aged black man. At the time he was wearing a heavy overcoat and carrying a colourful umbrella. A pack of dogs followed in his company.
A bag of crack: “Want to take drugs out of your neighbourhood, get it out of your home first. Save T&T by saving your home”
There is a dilemma pertaining to this particular artist because his work is becoming a legitimate form of contemporary art in Trinidad documented but many professionals in the study of it. There is sure doubt that any foreign intervention may disrupt the natural flow of his inner urge to purge these demons and reservations into works of art. ................................................................................................................ It should be noted that the individual described as Clinton Anthony Cummings was not the man who was encountered. However a portrait of him has been painted by the street artist.
Sultry … enchanting…exciting when served in Caribbean rum punches…in cocktails …or on the rocks under a sultry starlit Caribbean sky. You can enjoy this historic Caribbean rum in many ways, Golden Glow Rum is a rum that has been aged with Caribbean history and experience over 40 years experience! That’s why the call is for Golden Glow Rum.
This young sultry Caribbean Rum punching drinker seems enchanting by the moonlight of a Golden glow and she is representational of the Trinidadian creed. The model has some hard Chinee in she, with a bit of Spanish. The press Ad is 35 year old and the Rum was produced by Caroni distillery, Trinidad West Indies.
If you are glamorous don't be hesitant. Call on us for that special portrait for the special person, Studio Days we offer portraits of distinction - passport - commerical. Whatever you need we are at your disposal.
The women used for this Ad was clearly cut out with an X-acto knife. The graphic artist was short on his or her deadline, and added a bit more material. Miss in her two piece bikini swimming trunks, is caught in some sort of athletic-action pose. There is clearly movement, and the photographer courtesy of Days Studio has captured her "one foot standing tilt to the right pose". We may conclude that she fell soon after to the well padded grass illustrated in the paste up image. Days Studio wants to let you know that you can be in a portrait of distinction, just come along with your beach ball and meet us at Maracas bay. - thebookmann
What the advertisment is clearly trying to do is to appeal to the very active and expectantly fun loving,adventure type who would want pictures of action of their lives. Does the advertisment succeed? Who knows,but I am sure that many of us can throw our minds back to pictures in family photo albums on black paper of relatives in bathing suits made up of a lot of material with belts and images of men in suits and straw hats. Photography taking, or as Trini’s liked to say, the photo take outer, was a big deal, a major experience in a family. It was an outing. Now with digital photography gone are those days, instead youhave like much modern versions,the(R)rated and(X)rated image being of interest to many, and you canactually see these shots being developed amidst wholesome images of Christenings, Weddings and Wakes.- Adele
Brotherman, here is a Ad from the 1972 edition of Tourism and Commerce directory published in Trinidad ans Tobago. This is brunetta Ltd, the creators of Caribana Originals. They are also the manufacturers of ladies dresses in African design, gents caritoga shirts and many more of the brunetta labels. The classy lady on your left is showing off her brunetta dress and exposing her large cow hoof shoe. Her saga friend is his it classic shirtjack with that low collar to show off his manly chest hair.
Since 2000, the Bookman has approached the art of painting though his craft of book binding. The work here is an example of what he is capable of doing. These oil journals are from a series which in 2006 where produced by the influences taken from a painting by Peter Doig called, the music of the future.
Customers in queue for a pack of fresh nuts from one of the most popular vendors in Port of Spain.
These two Nutmen operate their brisk business on the sidewalk opposite the National Library in Port of Spain. Their costumers are so loyal that they have lined up in an orderly fashion to buy a few packs of their freshly roasted nuts.
The vendor remarked that if you give what you have freely to others, even to the pigeons, your rewards will exceed your expectations.
My little cabbage night nip....pillow talk with Scotch
Awoken in the middle of the night, Queen Elizabeth II probably thought to herself, what reckless act has Diana found herself in! The news of her death must have come as a shock. We would never know the truth...a decade from now perhaps, King willing.
The Queen is an attempt to document a dramatic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, using conjecture to surmise what may have taken placed during soon after the death of Princess Dianna, and the subsequent reaction by the world and more importantly the British public. The film in not a documentary, but a dramatization portraying Elizabeth II as an ordinary woman faced with a private yet public situation, and her decisions thrust to her by public opinion, and by a zealous Prime Minster. Yet she is obligated to the crown, as we see in the very first frame, the quote of her distant ancestor, Henry IV, "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" Representing a historic event through hearsay...
The Queen is a fictional screenplay that actually compiles footage from News reports, and from Dianna Spencer's televised funeral. This is to stir the pot with truth and a bit of fiction to present a middle ground with some sort of collective accuracy.
Views expressed on thebookmann are not affiliated with any Art Organizations and an “Art Review” may be open to interpretation as it is an observation at face value.
Amendments to such articles if misleading or with grammatical errors shall be corrected accordingly.
Richard Bolai lives and works from Trinidad, West Indies. He is a bookbinder,Graphic designer and the author of thebookmann, which from 2004, has written and photographed independently aspects of Trinidad and Tobago's art culture.
In 2008, he began a series of self studies called Feinin which incorporated digital superpositions of artists who have left a mark in art history by using the internet as the core of reference. He also produced parodies relating to anthropological studies of Trinidad and Tobago, for example, folklore or observations of the society via class and stereotypes
The work then expanded by actually creating dimensional replicas, capturing a map over the subjects to explore the underling subconscious in the form of art. This aided the ability to analyze art by producing art parodies to understand the meaning behind it. No money was spent or assistance in producing these compositions from common items found in his home, a chair, a mirror, or old tyre.
