Wednesday, August 14, 2024
This is a painting that was commissioned in the mid-1970s, supposedly by a bank in Belize for its Christmas card. The artist’s name is Carolyn Carr. I have never heard of Ms. Carr, but this art reminds me of an Impressionist painting. It depicts the Bridgefoot and all the characters, like the man in the green cap and the fellow on crutches, who were at that specific spot all day, and every day. This picture draws one into the hustle and bustle of the city. The old Volkswagen bus, the British soldiers, locals gossiping and shopping, the mule and cart, the bicycle cart, Vogue and the Paslow building in the background. One can feel the heat of the day, the smells of the market, Belize City in all its glory!
I found this picture on the Belize website, its picture of the day, a great place to go to relive, and be reminded of, our past. And yet, as I said before, I have no idea who Carolyn Carr, the artist is, or was. Someone that I’m comparing to Monet or Pissarro or Van Gogh should at least be better known in the country, at least. I lived in the city back then. I knew about George Gabb, Ted Burrowes, Bob Reneau, Marilyn Panting, Colville Young, Henry Young, and those locally famous artists and entrepreneurs, who kept art and music alive in the old capital.
When tourists come into Belize, they usually return home with some of the most beautiful carvings and sculptures and paintings, with no knowledge of whom the artists who produce these brilliant works of art are! There are so many unsung, unrecognized, talented artists to whom tribute has never been fully paid for their incredible contributions to Belizean art!
I have written about athletes and their orphaned existence, but this problem extends to arts and crafts also. How many millennials know who George Gabb, or any of the artists I’ve mentioned, are? I’m not saying it’s a desert, but it almost is. While they are alive we celebrate them; but once they grow old or die, we forget them!
We, I, can look for someone to blame, but we are all collectively responsible for supporting the creations and propagation of our arts and artists. We, as a people, suffer from that benign neglect, when it comes to the honoring of those with special talents; well, maybe not neglect, but a shortsightedness that is especially Belizean. We have become a transient and transactional society. We don’t know our history, or value our duties as guardians of this Jewel of ours. We want to enjoy, but not own, our heritage. What a ting!
There are talented people who sit outside the tourist hotspots, selling their creations for little or nothing. Sometimes they miss the genius inside themselves, mostly because they are not recognized by others, or by their peers. As brother Nuri once told me, Kruffies are stingy with their compliments. Well, we have to stop that. Encourage and support anyone who shows some artistic skills, whether a painter, sculptor, writer, playwright, comedian or musician. Acknowledge them and encourage them to explore that undiscovered part of themselves that produces beautiful results!
So many unknown artists have lived and died, unrecognized by their peers and the public in general, mainly because they didn’t get the support and encouragement they needed to succeed, from we, the public. They didn’t win gold medals, but could’ve found comfort in the fact that they mattered. That they left a legacy for posterity!
Ms. Carr, if you are reading this, I hope that you are still painting. Wherever you are, you have a great gift!
Glen