Veteran artist Makemba Kunle says the scourge of crime now gripping T&T was proof that works of art no longer speak to the consciousness of citizens, towards shaping a better society.
“I am not satisfied that this work is doing any good outside there at all. They say the artist is working in some kind of way for national development to help change the place, to inspire people. More mothers crying. More people getting shot. Nobody cares a damn. Everybody is going about their business, hustling trying to making a living; trying to survive or trying to dig out somebody else’s eye. My art isn’t doing anything,” he said.
He added, “I have to do it! I can’t learn computer science now, at this age. This is what I was born to do and I’m doing it, but I have no false expectations. To me, art today is not like yesterday. It has little effect on people.”
Kunle was speaking at the October 8 launch of Retrospective which featured almost five decades of creative expressions conceptualised and hosted by the National Museum and Art Gallery on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.
While he accepted the honour bestowed onto him where his work would be made available for public viewing over the next three months, the celebrated artist said, “I also accept it for many others who might also be deserving of such a retrospective. I accept it also on behalf of the weak ones who didn’t have the strength to keep it up to maintain their creativity over the years. I used to advise any young artist coming to me, strengthen yourself because it is not easy and over the years, I have seen a lot fall by the way. There are some on the road. There are some who call me every day for help; some kind of spiritual sustenance. I accept this tribute for those (artist).”
Lorraine Johnson, curator of the National Museum admitted that very few things left her speechless and that Kunle exhibit did just that.
“Go see for yourself and when you are walking through Makemba’s work, pause, listen…reflect, for that is what he is urging us to do. And let’s not forget to ask questions, for that is what art urges us to do. This is the first showing of Makemba’s work here at the National Museum and Art Gallery and I feel that I must mention this because it is worthy of mentioning,” she said.
“Makemba has persevered for almost 50 years, not for this show, but for his own philosophy; his own belief. Perhaps he has read the words of Marcus Garvey, who believed it would be philosophy, African philosophy, not platonic philosophy that would save this perishing race of ours from the consequences of slavery and colonialism. Whatever drives him, the message is clear, we must too, be driven in all that we do,” Johnson said.