Indo-Caribbean Cultural Council (ICC) wishes to announce the publication of it's latest Divali magazine in 2009. The theme of this edition of its annual souvenir magazine is “Paintings on Hinduism in Trinidad and Tobago.”
The magazine represents a collection of 34 pieces by aspiring artists, students and professionals in the country. Fifty percent (50%) of the paintings were done by children and 50% by adults. Seventy-six percent (76%) of the artists appear to be Indians and 24% seem to be non-Indians, based on an analysis of their surnames. Fifty-three percent (53%) bear Hindi surnames, 24% carry English/Other surnames, and 23% of them have Arabic last names.
The collection of paintings in magazine format can mirror a display of visual art images in a public gallery exhibition. However, a magazine carries the advantage of allowing one to view the images at one’s own private place, time and convenience. Indeed, it brings the conventional city art gallery - frequented by the elite in society - to the private living room of the common folk. Like a photographic album, a magazine can be kept as a collector’s item for future reference, study, review and enjoyment. This magazine has the added value of including an art critique of each painting, which makes it relevant to any discourse on contemporary culture and ethnic identity. The “reading” of each painting highlights the visual creativity of our local artists and the appreciation of Hindu/Indian aesthetics in the Caribbean.
