Shroud of Turin

A cloth covering a hoax

In this study of the Shroud of Turin, I covered myself with a dye to represent blood



In the Feinin; Here, in this position, I found myself faced with a certain truth, but also a lie. Beneath this shroud there was a leper, a man cased off, wrapped in linen and preserved. It came to no surprise. Alone, mastermind, cure, redundant, tremble* (28/03/09


The stain

Addendum: It should be noted that this study was produced before the new evidence was uncovered over the Shroud of Turin in October, 2009

Pilgrimage to Mount Saint Benedict

After, we go pass in for some dead


The bell tower at the Abbey of Our Lady of Exile, known as the Benedictine abbey located in north Trinidad. The This Benedictine Monastic community is the largest and oldest in the Caribbean and was founded in 1912, by an order of monks from Brazil, after the Order of St Benedict of Italy. Mount Saint Benedict is prized for their home cultured yogurt.

The core of the Christian faith, the crucification of Jesus of Nazareth, Mount Saint Benedict, St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Homage to the Virgin Mary

Just outside of this Abby, a red sedan was idling. Through the tinted windows, a couple could been seen courting. The man kept revving the engine as both lovers focused on the pleasures of fresh love consummated at this sacred site. A lover's lane to bring your girlfriend to a place that reveals a panoramic vista of the Caroni plains. He hands on her cheek, her palm on his leg, St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Meaning: Dead - KFC

Catching the Holy Ghost

Visions of the Holy Ghost

It was her faithful friend reminding her to make the effort to see him. Sick as she was, she prepared herself. At the gate the lady who offered a ride to her was a devoted catholic and wanted to catch it or part of it. In the car, they joked, she thought to herself, she's very ill, I will pray for her. At the church she met her faithful friend, a true believer of catching the Holy Ghost. They all sat together and watched as the sick hedged up to be healed by a man especially brought in for the service. And what she saw she pondered, could this be all a pretense? Do people really catch the Holy spirit?

She was there really to observe it, to see if seeing it could make her better. Then it was their turn. She just followed suit and prayed for the woman, the one with cancer, much sicker then her and too, her faithful friend. This was a gamble of pure faith, some caught the Spirit, others didn't. Their belief was that of the hand, the touch to the head, a judgment of truth. It did not happen, She felt sad for her, the lady, the lady who went to church a prayed, three times a week or more, a respected catholic, a pillar of devotion. It did not happen.

What she remembers, is falling back collapsing into the arms of the two helpers who stood behind her. She fell so far that they laid her on the floor. when she woke, she saw it, the Holy Ghost , it was to her a shadow, a cloud that hovered just above her and left her side. Struck with an emotion, orgasmic, blinding that she's never felt since her birth. There she felt, drunk with an overpowering sense of enlightenment.

What could she say? What could she tell them, a non believer, a non Catholic. How could it be? The ride back home, with tears in her eyes, what words could she describe her grief, her sorrow at her corporeal experience. So she kissed them both on the cheek. " You'll be healed"

Church of Magnificence

Copyright © 2009 Richard Bolai
A evangelical church build without fanfare, Trinidad West Indies

It is by all means a masterwork of architecture that graces a part of Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago. The building reflects the aesthetic beauty found in no other part of the hemisphere. It is a national icon and an architectural feat that places it as the tenth wonder of the world peeking way over the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. At the 2009, the International Society of Civil Engineers debated over its construction and hailed it as a marvel of perfection. Bringing those four walls together took a measure of precision and by a work force that was estimated to be in the tens of thousands. Scores of site seekers have flocked to see it.


A wrought iron gates with the words, Church of God embedding in its frame. It is the most ornate part of the structure.

This church was completed with the help of an evangelical mission who were seen on the site during its construction. This may be its final appearance, but more likely it is the inside that truly counts for those early Sundays come rain or shine. No attempt is made to debate over its functionality thus preventing otherwise the faithful from being exposed God's natural elements while sitting in a tent.

Light show at Maracas Valley RC church

Copyright © 2009 Richard Bolai

An Roman Catholic church est.1890, St. Joseph, Trinidad, West Indies

In a rural part of Maracas, St. Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago, an old Roman Catholic church is closed or under restoration. The chamber which may have been packed with Sunday parishioners praising the Virgin Mary and other Saints has moved to a smaller hall next door. But inside the building, amidst the debris and rotten wooden rafters, there was a natural colour light show casts by the arched stain glass windows which projected a mirage of Saint Gabriel, Mother Teresa and Francis of Assisi on the floor.

Attending one of these church sermons boils down to owning up and repenting your sins early in the morning so you may be cleansed for the following week of Fête-ing in all those all- inclusive parties leading up to Carnival, 2009. One young man who was smartly dressed in his all white garb, sang, recited and prayed with his arms outstretched as he caught the spirit of God. This was in sync with the rest of the congregation as they were bombarded by hymns based by sins of their own doing, and lead by a musical rhythm section whose singing pitch and note key had the Devil laughing.

A light show inside the chamber of an empty church.

But soon after the service, Mr. Saga Boy was caught on his cellphone ready to work up a week of sex before marriage, drinking and debauchery laid out by the priest in his sermon hours before. Just remember to bring your collection money, those wicker baskets have a long cleansing stretch for bills that have a purple hue to it. They just work miracles.

Shivaji and Ganesha playing All Fours

The ministry of works All Fours playing house, Crystal Stream, Diego Martin

The plywood shed you see is here is a notorious spot for liming. The men who work? or are assigned to this district are either drinking, drunk or swinging on a hammock tied between a large tree and the dwelling. But on this Sunday morning as parishioners were pelting out with their spanking new sport utility vehicles from a RC Church compound just opposite the newly fenced grounds. An artist showed his faith as a wall painter while his adviser reclined to his right smoking a cigarette and chatting on his mobile phone.

An all Fours card player painting a religious mural, Diego Martin Trinidad, West Indies

A tribute to Shivaji and Ganesha painted on the side of this dwelling. One can speculate that this is for good luck, particularly at night when the place is occupied by card players. Cussing, cackling, women and laughter will resume regardless of the sacredness of the Hindu deities just freshly painted on the outer part of the partition.

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.

The Sacred Heart 's art

Flemish stain glass windows, est.1882, Church of the Sacred Heart, Trinidad, West Indies

The sexton of the Sacred Heart church in Port of Spain was directed to the founder who laboured thirty years to see the building complete. A brass etched plaque acknowledged Hailas Greenough as the person responsible, est. (1882) and this discovery came about after a brief tour of the church in Port of Spain. She explained that the stain glass windows are a fine example of Flemish work depicting the motifs of the christian prophet. There is also a series of paintings related to the Stations of the Cross. The works on wood still retains its beauty, although they are matted with dirt caused by the city's pollution.


A series of paintings are board, Church of the Sacred Heart, Trinidad, West Indies

Hosay - Night of Flags

This is the first night of the Hosay precessions on the streets of St. James, Trinidad and Tobago. There are three families who celebrate the Day of Muharram, Night of Flags. A procession that began at 11pm on the quiet streets and echoed the rhythms of the Tassa drummers surrounded by a small but attentive audience.

The clip on youtube shows a synopsis of the evening from the three processions. Note the energy and compassion from the drummers.

Vishnu in concrete and paint

Vishnu as a mural in concrete and paint. The decorative relief is on the wall of a small temple in a private home. Eastern main road, Trinidad.

Vishnu is described as the all-pervading essence of a all beings, the master of the past, present and future and the creator and destroyer of all existences. It has been brought to attention that the mural is more likely a portrayal of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom. Thank you for your observation.

Christmas Greetings

Who de fada ?

The birth of the Christ child conceived by the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit of God depicted on a wooden panel. Eastern Main Road, Trinidad, West Indies.

To all readers and to those who celebrate the Christian holiday, a wonderful day to you.

To all the virgin martyrs - Saint Agnes

Since the fourth century, Saint. Agnes has been regarded a martyr in the purest sense through Christian beliefs. She endured a fate where she was tortured and decapitated by a sword to protect her virginity. She was canonized in 1950.

Here in Saint James, Trinidad, West Indies, an artist has a deep devotion to her. A fable of her martyrdom is re-erected in a pictorial that seems set much later or just confused by the accuracy surrounding her time. Hence, the virgin, the halo as yellow paint skirting her cloaked head, her long hair, the lamb, the sword, the meadow and of cause, the brightly painted red picket fence.

According to the notes of Leonardo Da Vinci, he found that humility was the most striking by example of the lamb which will submit to any animal; and when they are given for food to imprisoned lions they were as gentle to them as to their own mother, so that very often it has been seen that the lions forbear to kill them. We in Trinidad and Tobago prefer lamb to be curried.

Saint Agnes, airbrushed on the entrance of Saint Agnes Church, St. James, Trinidad, W. I.

Patna's Divali in Trinidad and Tobago

The small community of Patna in Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Divali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. During the course of the evening, bamboo structures of a Helicopter, Swan, Cobra, Bicycle, Scorpion, Tarantula and a train were set with Dayas on the eve of the Divali celebrations. See the process and synopsis on youtube

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In Trinidad Tobago, all festivals are known by everyone because there are many people who talk to other people of different races. Divali or Diwali is a well-known festival in Patna Village. Mr. Bhasook Mahadeo (AKA ” Keeshan “) is a Hindu living here in Patna and he owns the bar on the street. He loves Divali and likes to get everyone to known of it by hiring Mr.Dexter, a craft man who makes creations with Bamboo. And every Divali, Mr. Dexter will create vivid creatures with Bamboo.

Busting Bamboo; The process is to cut the Bamboo and bore a hole. Then you insert fire through that hole. You run and the Bamboo bursts. That’s how I know to do it. It is very Dangerous so don’t try it. Coming close to Divali, and Mr. Dexter will finish his master-pieces. After they are finished, they will tie wire onto the Bamboo, then, Deyas will be placed in the wire. After, you put oil and a wick.

In the evening, Mr. Bhasook will start his show. Other children of different races from various places will light the deyas. Some do it for fun, some do it for the proper use (giving tribute to Mother Laxmi or Lutchmi- Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) Divali is very nice. Hindus clean their homes, fast by eating no egg or meat for 14 or 21 days and on Divali night, they light their deyas in their home to welcome Mother Laxmi into their home and lives (for Spiritual blessings) and Mother Laxmi will remove any evil from your life. The light of the Deya shows that good will always over come the bad.

Voices from the street: Justin Ramsaroop, Patna village, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies on the eve of the Divali celebrations, 2007.

The Annunciation at Black Rock Tobago

The Annunciation marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

At the Black Rock Transfiguration Anglican church in Tobago, West Indies, a mural is painted with a Biblical teaching in mind. At the entrance of the church, two unpainted concrete obelisks support an archway with spheres. This leads to a white semi-circular filigree disc and above it, a second carving of filigree patterns comprise of geometric shapes that resemble the Star of David. Light, therefore can penetrate through the maze to revitalize the congregation with beams of early Sunday sun-rays.

The front facade of the church is divided by two murals, painted by an artist commissioned to God's word or perhaps by a member of the congregation with a high-strung zest for flair and bolts of cloth, and a calling for two or three basic colours; Blue, magenta and brown. Yet,to put his name to a work with such great Biblical significance supersedes the likelihood that the mural will fade over the years by God's divine awaking.

The wall paintings are depictions of the Annunciation and John the Baptist with the Virgin Mary at the shore of the Tobago seascape, Black Rock.

Transfiguration at Black Rock: Emulsion on concrete 10 x 12 feet x 2

Visitors to a Christian home T&T style

The Canon of Jesus of Nazareth: For those who have the extraordinary gift to heal are most likely frown upon with skepticism by others simplistic in their beliefs



This portrait of a Christ icon pinned up in a squatter house, Trinidad, West Indies shows that faith is most people can calm their precarious destiny.

To the off shore sea - Shouter Baptists

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh, Like Soca Baptist, Like Soca Baptist, Like Soca Baptist

Just off the highway on Mucurapo road, Trinidad and Tobago. Just beyond the paved pitch and white barrier. To the patch of wet grass that slopes to the water's edge, next to the pools of sun baked rubbish that scatter the beach, a congregation of Shouter Baptists are in session. And with diligence and with the hope of a rebirth, they chant in verse, celebrating at a group of men being Baptized, in a sea not too clean.

Yet, it is the faith, the dedication in what one believes that sets things apart, and seeing only what is to be seen, the cleansing of the spirit. And with all faiths, with a God that is said to be compassionate and caring, the land, the soil, the sea, from the place called Trinidad and Tobago, she too needs a Baptism to purify her heart.

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Soca Baptist by Blue Boy

Listening to ah prayer meeting, baptist people preaching
With ah leader in front, have people singing
So I tell my padna, boy leh we get closer
Because I tell meh-self ah hearing soca
While it was something to be spiritual
To me it was more like bacchannal
For they dancing, some jumping out ah time
If you see baptist woman wine, singing

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Oh Oh Oh

Just then ah power take me, cause me to act crazy
So they embrace my arm and start to spin me
But I created problems, I start to fight with them
Though the spirit in me, they have no mercy
When they see ah really giving trouble
The priest lay hands on his bible
For chapter two, page four, Psalm 166
Was ah soap and ah baptist mix, singing

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Oh Oh Oh

While singing this Psalm, the preacher held my arm
Two bounce on my shoulder make me feel better
Then he said to me son, come forward and kneel down
But whilst approaching him, he stopped all singing
But then everything was going well
Until de man start to ring de bell
I starting bawling, but he didn't give a damn
So he make them sing baptist Psalm, singing

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Like soca baptist
Like soca baptist
Oh Oh Oh

Beyond the earth - Eid-ul-Fitr

Beyond the earth to the skies, and to a new moon

Eid is recorded to be celebrated in 624 by the Prophet Muhammad after the victory of the battle of Jang-e-Badar. Muslims are not only celebrating the end of their fasting, but thanking Allah for the his help and strength throughout the previous month in practice and self-control in fasting.

The festival begins at the first sighting of the new moon. The holiday, Eid-ul-Fitris in celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago and Muslins gather at their homes to give prayers and to have a festive full meal marking its end. Eid is also a time of forgiveness, and making amends to each other.

So look to the skies this evening a see the cycle of the history of man and the earth's satellite, planets and stars.

Photographs: A Mosque in Princess Town and graffiti of the Muslim faith drawn on a wall, Green Corner , Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The Temple in a Turbulent Sea

Destroy your enemy but heed your fate

The Temple in the sea was desecrated a few days ago. It came as a complete shock. The Sewdass Sadhu Temple in Carapichaima is one of the better known Hindu temples for the sensitive story behind it. It is the story of a simple farmer who missed the opportunity to worship and so built the temple over a period of several years before running foul of the law and having the temple threatened with destruction. This story stands side by side with stories we in Trinidad and Tobago have grown up with about Tubal Uriah ‘Buzz’ Butler and the formation of trade unions. His struggle is our small but endearing version of a Ghandi, or Mandela story. There was a very good interpretation of his life done at the University of the West Indies called Temple in the Sea. It was put on by the Creative Arts Centre many years ago. The temple has stood for many years, refurbished and lovingly restored. The fact that anyone would break in and destroy the place is deeply distressing to the citizens of our country. Intolerance of any kind must not be ignored. We pride ourselves on our diversity, it is what makes Trinidad and Tobago the country it is and the place we all love.

Thebookmann and I visited the temple hours after the funeral of the little boy who was killed by teenagers last year. We remembered how beautiful and peaceful the place was. People were still walking around, quietly taking in the 180 degree view of the sea. The temple is the sort of place where you can imagine yourself seeing Mr. Sadhu with his bucket and his dream. Hindu temples are religious spaces that are open to the public. The caregivers are always professional, kind and humble in their approach to non Hindu’s. In fact, many, if not all religious bodies in Trinidad and Tobago are open to other faiths, and it is with that in mind that this disrespect is particularly unsettling. Where else in the world are there Chinese Baptists for example? We are very proud of our melding of faiths. So why such an incident? What is the motive? Hopefully in denouncing this incident, we will be more aware of how important it is to stand together as a nation. - Adele

Hindu-Mary

One of the unique things about Trinidad and Tobago is our mix of people brought to these islands through circumstances or cause. We are a country made up of East Indians and Africans with smaller groups of Chinese, Middle Eastern and European stock. And with their customs and religious beliefs somewhere down the line faiths find themselves merging together.

Take for instance the stature of Virgin Mary on your left located in Couva, central Trinidad and populated mostly by the East Indian community. By all accounts it represents the Roman Catholic faith, but there are subtle differences in the statues' features that makes you think otherwise. -thebookmann

Churches & Cemeteries series 4

The Trinidad Aesthetic - Time and Decay

Over the the years thebookmann has been interested in the themes of time and decay. He has traveled all over Trinidad and Tobago amassing photographs from cemeteries. It has been solitary and grimy work. It has wrought personal views on life and death, but also on traditions and rituals. He has asked aloud many times, what is happening with the preservation of our monuments? I have been fortunate to travel with him to a few places and seen first hand the sort of work involved. It takes a keen eye to not just take images of tombs, but of the personality behind the architecture. He lets us see the love and care of the living, as some family members leave photographs, write the family name in paint, leave plastic flowers, candles and incense.

Our cemeteries are historical documents. We can see areas that once were restricted to families of the highest classes. Areas where the Jews fleeing Nazi Germany are buried, the many orders of priest and nuns, new names of families who have come up in the world in a generation or two side by side with those who have gone down or remained in stasis.- Adele

These photographs mark ten years since the idea of the Trinidad Aesthetic. It began with documenting churches and cemeteries such as the Anglican Trinity Cathedral, the Holy Rosary and Laperose cemetery in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. It has been an adventure in its self, and for example, at the time the mausoleum (centre) was photographed, howls and wailing sounds from the dilapidated crypt could be heard. thebookmann and Adele were not going to further investigate the source, we just wanted to leave as quickly as possible, until a large man unearthed himself from it. But to our horror, the same man, much later entered a food court in Port of Spain and calmly ordered a meal and drink, needless to say, we have never ventured back to the eatery since. How Trinidad Aesthetic -thebookman