Ken Crichlow - Upside down work

Green and Red and Dearth at $110.000.00 dollars, Softbox gallery, Trinidad

At Ken Crichlow’s exhibition at Softbox studios in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the entrance of the gallery looks more like a wedding reception. The are tables set with flower arrangements and guests are entertained by a classical ensemble playing period music. The artist personally greets everyone, and then opens the door to his exhibition, HOPE.

Ken Crichlow by all means is a colourist and his paintings show this ability to great effect. These are mystical works which have an illusionary effect on the eye. They are landscapes which are tilted at its side and this has more to do with trickery, but can be missed. He also includes figures which float within the work and you need a keen eye to discover them.

These are beautiful canvases if only they were hung correctly as they were painted. There is also a subtle hint of washes and shimmering divisions that are reflective. Crichlow’s brush strokes have a Van Gogh-est appeal, as he stipples the canvas with lines that dodge in and out, but it also outlines shapes to have a literal meaning or thus otherwise expected as abstracts. HOPE is an exhibition which are scenic compositions of plains, forests, vines, mountains and rivers. Ken Crichlow understands colour, brush temperance and composition - once its right side up, one may find themselves tilting their heads to find the real perspective.

HOPE continues till the 14th November, 2008 at Softbox gallery, Trinidad, West Indies

Diwali in St. James

Festival of rain


A table with jars of oil

Just moments before arriving in St. James to the Singh family who celebrate the Diwali festival every year, and open their home to the community, the sky was thicken with darken clouds amidst a rainbow that stretched across the horizon. If this had any meaning, it did not damped the festive mood on one of the streets in St. James, Trinidad and Tobago. What was supposedly to be filled with oil, the deyas were now filled with water and mounted on bamboo structures that were quite familiar. There was the spider, the Cobra, the speed boat and elephant. And as helpers were busy draining them off in time for the preparation of Festival of Lights later this evening, the table was set for guests to enjoy a meal.

John Kennedy - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

My art colleague had asked me why had I not feinin Martin Luther King, Jr and I pondered over it as my first sense of him was not to my taste. In these self studies, I am very careful to whom I wish to feinin, but also I am intrigued by the very thought of knowing.

The man on this badge needs no explanation to who he is, and to his meaning onto the American landscape, in politics, conspiracy and world unrest. In the feinin, I see a young man under the shadow of his father, but a visionary who saw the possibilities as form of escapism. Reckless, persistence, loving, ingenious, lairs, cowards, magnitude, faith, solitude...whispers

What I realized was a man who did not devolve any of his secrets or the circumstances over his personal life. This he'll never tell...

Jackson Pollock - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

At the very beginning, I found this feinin to be difficult where I was puzzled. Was there something I was overlooking? A reasoning behind it? Like with these self-portrait studies, there is a story to be told that exposes part of me, This was more about anger, frustration and my lack of who I trusted myself to be.

In this feinin, I realized that this was a brilliant man, an artist who stood the test of time. In it I saw mathematics and the expelling of cum that left an impression on the art world. His inner force more telling to me, but obvious to him. This was a man too powerful, too straining on my back, aching with desire. A tiger is sheep's clothing. I love him, truly I do.

kurk Cobain - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

Here is a man who fought his inner demons, in this study, I found a man who was deeply sure of himself, but also an individual who tested his will. The boundaries, the fights, the plagiarism, the lack of judgment. In this feinin, I wondered what was the point to all of this, capitalism, lusting for more shit. So I gave up, laughing, choking, crying. So sorry, my love.

Elvis - Andy Warhol - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

At first, I hesitated to feinin a work by Andy Warhol as I felt his presence too mundane, plain and uncouth. Yet in this duplication, I found myself uplifted unto a figure that had the lightness of a hero. In it, this was a man that was heavyset with his footing placed firmly on the ground. I could see that he was an actor distinctively American, an action moment captured in time. Yet this was an actor who was persistently needy, wild and loud. He gave only his heart to his profession, his movements, shimmering in the spotlight. Love to be back

In this feinin I also knew how wonderfully and clever the montage felt. Smooth, precise, ageless, trusting, prophetical.

Marlene Dietrich - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

I found this portrait to be beautiful, in other words, I felt the softness and sleekness of her skin. This was a woman who acted more like a man. In the fenin, I was overcome with the sense of discomfort....too dragish, but also an intensity of tragedy, loneliness, and a longing to be home. This was a reflection of a shattered mirror, a hollow vacuum to who I was, empty, dead, frightened of everyone.

Barack Obama as an icon in Art

A man who may change America

In my lifetime, I have never seen the degree to which America has gone in their support of a nominee to the presidency. When I am online, I find that every site I visit has their personal endorsement of Barack Obama. I am yet to see one that supports John McCain. I observed the poster designed by Obay, Shepard Fairley about a year ago. At the time I did look into the Obama phenomenon. But I did not make that much of it. I assumed that it was just a few illustrators optioned to do some work for the candidate. Little did I know that Obama was becoming an inspiration as a subject matter and as a source of campaign funding.

Last night I found a site where twenty-seven potters have placed their work on Ebay. A series of Stoneware and Porcelain pieces with Obama’s image, in their technical styles. I looked at the work for some time, and then I moved on to another site, not related in any way to that, and on that site, someone was making quilts to be raffled off to support Obama. The work was quite beautifully done. I was quite surprised by the quality. You expect buttons, you expect hats, key chains, even mugs. But the high quality of objects for this campaign have been obviously different.

There are several reasons, Obama is making history in a very palpable way. He inspires and he manages to bring along a groundswell of, well, hope. I am very glad that I have been able to see this, a moment like this is extremely rare, and one to tell generations to come.This shall certainly be picked over for all that it succeeded in doing and not doing. One of the most interesting issues of this campaign has been the naked lack of grace of the media and even politicians in their quest to deny what is happening in America at this moment. The desire to pull down exactly what they have created and so need, is a head shaker, adding to the worlds already negative view of them. However, it matters not who wins, it is what they do next that is the making of the president. The related article is from Sexypink under Adele

Un chien andalou - Self portrait series

In this feinin, in the frame itself, I find myself sitting on a cold chair waiting in anticipation. The atmosphere is ecstatic, as I realize I am an actress on the verge of something monstrously cruel. Behind the camera(s), I see them smiling, laughing prodding in a hacksaw motion. I too feel cold, the grasp of his cup (hand), his nervousness, laughing, haunting cruel, men, sex, girls, breasts. Do it to me so gently.

Francis Bacon - Self portrait series

In this feinin, I found myself unable to gauge the artist from the impersonator. In the overlapping I could see despair, a troubled spirit that was lost, static but salivating with an appetite for youth. This was an artist whose intention left me wondering as I could only see myself on a face mapped so seamless. Age, angered, but also knowing, love, heartbreak,fantasy, skimming at the shore, scrubbing the floors, writing forever, what I had, what I gave, nasty, sick, solitude in my heart, forgiveness to him, boyfriend, hate no more.

Art Crawl - Port of Spain

Adele Todd with Shastri Maharaj at Y gallery, Port of Spain

My friends and I took the opportunity to go see Shastri Maharaj’s show at Y Gallery, Jasmine Thomas-Girvan’s jewellery show at SoftBox and Che Lovelace’s show at the Trinidad Art Society space. We were also able to pop by More Vino to see the work of Shalini Singh. We never got to In2Art to see Jackie Hinkson’s group show, but we shall rectify that very soon, when during the coming week we go off to see the jewellery exhibition of Janice Derick. The Christmas season is nearing, and artists’ shows are coming fast and furious. That is a good thing, as there are so many things that people have to pay for if they want to be entertained, and an art show is one that is free of charge.

This Art Crawl, which basically is telling a group of friends about a number of shows that are on, plotting where they are situated, having everyone park at the furthest one and then car pooling to the others. Is a good deal. We get to spend the entire day focused on the work, and if the artist is there, as was Shastri and Jasmine, then that makes it even better.


Shastri Maharaj's work representing aspects of the people of Trinidad and Tobago

The atmosphere at Y Gallery was practically festive as Shastri walked in. The space is naturally very bright, and for his body of work, thirty-six pieces, there was an opening up of new approaches. He continues to have the women on the plains, and the homage to Indian miniature, in such work as Lingam. But he also has a series of sensitively painted individuals with folksy titles like, “Uncle Ralph” and “The Housekeeper.”

Jasmine Thomas-Girvan’s show, Gems, is a visual delight of discovery, as she choreographs the space as well as entertains the eye with s prodigious one hundred pieces of work! The level of detail never grows stale, as every single piece is filled with enough whimsy, skill, charm, colour and shape to keep you lingering on and on. She also has a running film of her work, in case you may wonder how the piece looks from another angle or in another context. She has included bits of writing with some works that also inspire.

Shalini Singh’s show at More Vino, are long rectangular paintings that recall the work of Carlisle Chang in the early seventies. His look at Mas. This may be because of her colour choices. These panels are very affordable and decorative.


Che Lovelace at Gallery 101, Trinidad

By contrast Che Lovelace’s show at The Trinidad Art Society, fourty-four pieces of varying sizes, are carnival conscious. That is the theme he plays with, and like Singh, something in the handling suggests paintings in Trinidad and Tobago from the late 1950’s early 1960’s. The painting style is chock full of a past history, and in some ways despite the festive theme, there is an underlying sadness there. Mr. Lovelace uses a number of painting styles, dry brush, dripping,light application and dense colour tones.


Stuart Hahn with Adele Todd at Jasmine Thomas-Girvan's jewelery exhibition, softbox, Trinidad

All of the shows, save Ms. Thomas-Girvan's Gems', could have been better served by a bit of editing, as in every instance the space used was packed with work. It was difficult to enjoy one piece when another stood so closely by, competing for attention. This is always an issue for me. How a show is hung is as important as what is shown.We enjoyed going out together and having a chance to see several shows at once. We are looking forward to the shows to come, to do it all over again.

Michel de Nostredame - Self portrait series

I gone off, oui


A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

To begin with, I found myself liking this feinin very much. In it I saw a man who loved the mystery of (time travel). A poet in his thinking, and a visionary in thought, like a playground where clues could be unlocked in places hidden. (cupboards, draws and bureaus) This was a spirit, gentle at heart, and an instigator willingly and trusting. Alone, penance, genius, success, beauty, teaching, courage...

William Shakespeare - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

In this Self portrait, a single vision entered my mind, and it was an enclosure that housed a wooden stage. In this feinin, I felt as if this man was mad but also a thief. And that his life was revered in secrecy. Like a dream, I felt as if I was mounted on a bow of a vessel, and heading off to the land, rich in mythology, a place of the Argonauts. Patience, laughter, muse, puzzle, remember me...

John Lennon - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

Here is a self portrait, so daunting and so prophetical in its meaning. A feinin I didn't expect of a young singer who dreamed the impossible and triumphed over a disability. A writer who transformed the music world, lifted the hearts of many through his words, softy reminding how wonderful, how truly superb, life, living, God, sex...In this work, I saw myself in reflection, as a man in eternal grief, proud, troubled and statuesque.

My decision to feinin myself as John Lennon was far from my thoughts. It was by chance, and I use this term quite loosely. What makes this astonishing is that he was born on this day, 9th, October.

Sigmund Freud - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

Where do I begin to think as I feinin myself in this self portrait. And there, I sit at the cradle of a man who envisioned the working of the human brain. In this portrait, I am stern, posed to answer any question that is directed to me. To think, to see what makes a man tick. In layers of subconsciousness, in thought so intense. I see you without you seeing me. Powerful, lioness,to ravage you in my arms.

Confucius - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

In this self portrait, I found myself weighted and just sitting still in a contemplation of thought. I knew most of the answers, but not all. But I felt cold, tired, and as an old man just letting time pass by. Noble as I was, (proclaimed) I hated life for its toying, for its misery, for its turmoil. Alone, masterful, Zen, I drift to sleep.

Seek my brother till you face yourself head on to a path few ever dare to cross. Look pass your troubles and dive into the abyss of humanity

Albert Einstein - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

In this portrait study, here was an inventor, a magician with his brew. A pot in which he stirred all of life's mysteries. jokily, he added a few of his own. What intrigue. And for who he was, I searched to seek what was inside his head, alas, there was nothing, void, and vacuum of space. As if his prophesies were true, in that he took it all with him, everything, his existence, empty, finito, kiss.....

María Callas - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

In this feinin,I found myself faced with a legend, a goddess if you like. A spirit that was encased in a nest of gems, gold, platinum and rubies, yet was as fragile as glass. In this self portrait, I saw the footing of a (stone) presence, a moving force where I could flick away my admirers. (And a voice, not of me), but a voice that could capacitive, screeching, epic, so soft.

It's funny and so revealing, I primmed just before this work was devised.

Francisco de Goya - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

This was an artist who at first wanted to taste blood, and a man who thought the very ills of society. In dreams, he languished over his civil obligation. In this self portrait, I felt a man who knew who he was going to be. Determined, fierce and sensual in his ways. But in a way, I was locked in time, unable to see past what I saw. Myself, so matched, so permanent, so frightening.

Edvard Munch - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

In my silence, in my attempt to feinin myself as Edvard Munch, I felt an over sense of an inner insanity, a stark reflection of a man still, self-possessed, cultured but empty. Void of his existence, afraid of his shadow, ominous, heart wrenched, jealous and mysterious. Lost and drowned in his self-worth, in his erratic behavior. A painter who brewed over his purpose, his enigma for living.

Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

In this study, I had doubt a work so famous, so interpreted and debated that I wondered could there be anymore added to its mystery. But yet, in this self portrait, I felt lost again as I had with the Michelangelo study to the point I could not see myself. And then, I felt, a (lady) short, plumply, fidgety and excitable to be in the presence of a (master) who she greatly admired. Although my portrait had aged her, this was a hearty character who through her (flirtation), commented on da Vinci's wishy hands, his hooked nose and beautiful teeth. And during the sittings, they laughed, they gossiped.....

And in this moment, the intrigued over her smile may just have been her idiosyncrasies, her underlay of smirks which the painter captured so teasingly, so subtle, resonating her beauty, coy and tempting.

The Madonna - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity .

So far in my study portraits, I have never been touched by a feeling that represented a mother's love for her infant. In this work, I searched to verify its meaning, and its truth in the abstraction and of its nonexistence, but it did not matter, its omnipresence of what it meant was overpowering, impacting and so (real). What I can tell you that it led me to an (epiphany) about inherently wanting, subconsciously. This was what love really means.

In the portrait of the Madonna, I felt the presence of a (blinding love), a bonding, and a child that was clingy, but mine altogether. But I knew that I was giving him up. His fragility, his inquisitiveness, his innocence. And I thought to myself, take good care of him, treat him well with respect and dignity, as he is my only. The (love) that I felt was the maternal bond.

It should be noted that this experience is not within a religious context.

Jesus of Nazareth ? - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity .

In this self portrait, I was puzzled, more so by what I thought I believed to be true. In this mosaic, the (Messiah) is not that of Jesus of Nazareth, but rather of one of his ( Apostles). In this work, I felt encased in stone, mammoth, a presence of a law, a teaching and a permanent reminder of, under a political regime. Grand, powerful and far reaching.

Diana Spencer - Self portrait series

A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity .

The layering of the self portrait had an ominous sense of sadness, I felt still, trapped in a body that kept shedding, like a reptile. In this portrait, I felt alone, neglected, spied upon and trapped. And to top it all, my existence had a grandeur where I could not dream, trapped, isolated, Now I realized what went wrong, and why this turned out this way, my tragic end, so sudden, so frightening....