Not enough respect

Visual and Performing Artist Adrian “Tari” Codougan believes that this country is not giving enough respect to visual artists in this country.

Codougan who just returned from representing this country at the first African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Festival which was held in the Dominican Republic from October 14-21 emphasised that this country missed out on an excellent opportunity to promote itself when it did not have more cultural pieces at the event.{{more}}

He noted that 79 countries from all over the world were vigorously sharing information through their tourism teams, cultural ambassadors, literary and film work at the Modern Art Museum, while St Vincent and the Grenadines embarrassingly only had three art pieces.

Codougan pointed out that besides his contemporary piece called “Modern Transportation” there were two large abstract paintings from visual artist Cecil Comblen on display at the show.

The Vincentian visual artist however noted that his piece created buzz at the festival and many reporters flocked to question him about his creation, which featured items such as batteries, condoms and a car filter. Codougan said that his piece depicted the struggle of underdeveloped countries to clean up the waste after they import industrialized goods and was proud to be able to spotlight this country as a nation that was concerned about the environment.

The North Leeward resident was however shocked that during his 10-day visit, his 11-hundred Euros sponsorship from the National Lottery to pay for accommodation at a five star hotel was suddenly pulled. Codougan revealed that he had to beg for assistance from other artists and that this was an indication that St Vincent and the Grenadines was dis-respectful to its visual artists.

Codougan said that despite this grievance he took the opportunity to promote St Vincent and the Grenadines to many who never even knew that such a country existed and ran out of pamphlets about his homeland.

Codougan said that with the boom in tourism, the Caribbean must realise that culture was one of the pathways to alleviating poverty since tourists were not only coming for the warm climate but to experience the essence of a different destination with a rich culture.