“Beyond Emancipation” – Cataloguing our History Through Fine Art and Photography

~ article submitted by Wanda Octave

On Thursday 29th July 2015 the Cultural Development Foundation ushered in Emancipation Month with the opening of an art exhibition at the Blue Coral Mall in Castries, under the theme Beyond Emancipation

The exhibition features the work of three Saint. Lucian artists, John Phulchere, Francis Tobias (PhoTobias) and Ted Sandiford and will run from the August 1st  –  September 5th.

Official-Ribbon-Cutting-sm.jpg
Director of Operations (CDF), Raymona Henry-Wynne

At the opening ceremony on Thursday morning Drenia Frederick – Director of Events and Production at CDF said ‘The exhibition showcases a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished and where we’re headed. What we’ve tried to do is to give the public sort of a 3D experience, where you can go through the exhibition and look at the fine art of Phulchere, browse the photography of Francis Tobias, then zoom in on the fine art done by Ted Sandiford, and then right on the screen before you, you have electronic images and animation.’

After the ribbon was cut, there was a collective feeling of awe as everyone stood mesmerized by the featured work of the three artists.

Leiff Escalona, Ambassidor to the Republic of Venezuela, was among the captive.  ‘It is my second year in attendance and it is really amazing to see the Saint Lucian culture captured in different expressions of art. I am also delighted that the exhibition runs for a full month, which allows the whole island to benefit.’

Running for a month also allows for multiple visits which I realized quickly that I would need.

PhoTobias doing what 'Toby' loved best.
PhoTobias doing what ‘Toby’ loved best.

If a picture tells a thousand words, then PhoTobias could successfully shelve the Central Library. (With stories you’d be waiting in line to read!) My eyes danced over the thirty foot wall of images, as I was moved through, not only an evolution of film but decades of history. Images of beauty pageants, old cars, national events, school children, social events, civilians, body builders, business men, carnival, school functions, cultural objects… it was almost impossible to categorize. It was like attending a history class that taught itself. Part of me wished that Tobias was there to give a first-hand account of every image, but it was also fun trying to guess the events and the faces behind the images.

 

As the family of Francis Tobias lingered a bit longer than anyone else, I stole a moment to speak to Edgitha Tobias or ‘Madamme Tobias’ as she is affectionately known. I was careful not to ask how the display made her ‘feel’. Moments before, standing behind the family, I couldn’t help but eves drop on the feelings of awe, nostalgia, surprise, sadness, envy, and of course, pride.

Instead, I expressed my gratitude for the visual, cultural history lesson. ‘A history lesson indeed… Indeed it is…’ she said smiling. ‘You know, I used to quarrel with my husband (Francis Tobias) because he always wanted to go everywhere, to capture everything. And because of this, he was hardly home. He used to tell me that I don’t understand… And I guess I didn’t. But now I do. Seeing it all here… Now I can see the importance of every image. Now I can finally see, exactly what he saw.’

I almost choked up. For fear of embarrassing both of us, I moved on to the wall dedicated to John Phulchere – Artist and Sculptor.

One of Phulchere's timeless pieces
A timeless piece by John Phulchere

Worrel Phulchere, John Phulchere’s brother, beamed with pride as he stood next to ‘The Forgotten’ stand pipe. ‘Seeing John’s work here is different from seeing it in his studio. It all has more life and character here’. He paused, as if soaking it all in. ‘John was born to paint. He loved art and loved all artists. Instead of criticizing, he was more intrigued by their point of view and tried to imagine their thought process. It was always about creativity for John. He was more concerned with art for the sake of expression, than art for business or profit.’

But Phulchere did earn a living off his art. In fact, the only unsold paintings are those featured at the exhibition.

Every single one of these paintings highlights a symbol of Saint Lucian culture or reflects the raw authenticity of Saint Lucian living.  ‘Papa Bois’, and ‘The Forgotten’ broken public standpipe, brought back a flood of memories and stories from my childhood. My smile broadened as I moved on, to perhaps what many may remember John Phulchere for; his caricature. One of my favorite pieces in the exhibition is ‘News Team’ a caricature portrait of Tim, Andre, Jook B-wa, Rick and Russel.

I seemed to be taking that 3D experience that Drenia Frederick spoke of, as I walked away from the ‘News Team’ and into the space of Ted Sandiford – Visual Artist, Videographer, Cartoonist, Film maker. The only living artist featured at the exhibition.

Ted Sandiford at work
Ted Sandiford at work

I was eager to talk. But Ted admitted that, like most artists, he is an introvert and uses art as his way of speaking.  ‘I paint best during those moments when I most feel the need to express myself. It may be from a place of depression, anger or happiness, but it is always heightened emotion.’ And you will feel every one of these emotions from the art pieces, familiar cartoon characters, and the electronic displays of Ted Sandiford’s work.

The whole exhibition fulfills the vision of Curator, Gilland Avril, as it does take all visitors through an old school meets new school journey, which captures snapshots of the Saint Lucian culture. That unique voice discovered after emancipation.

 

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