Master Artist, Dr Leroy Clarke’s painting “Ogun, Eye Shape Worlds” has returned to Trinidad and Tobago. The painting now hangs at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley officially welcomed the return of the painting on Wednesday.
According to Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, Dr. LeRoy Clarke’s painting, “Ogun, Eye Shape Worlds” was originally sent to Georgetown, Guyana, as part of Trinidad and Tobago’s contribution to the CARICOM headquarters.
He said all 15 CARICOM member states were invited to contribute artwork for the building, and Trinidad and Tobago loaned the painting.
“I am not sure how long it was displayed for, but there’s somebody who’s saying that it wasn’t displayed. It was so powerful, so large, and whatever. It ended up in the basement somewhere.
And of course, paintings do that all the time throughout history. And this painting was in a place where it was damaged.”
Dr. Rowley said fortunately, a staff member at the headquarters saw it, understood its significance, knew which country it belonged to and reached out to the office of the prime minister.
“CARICOM got it restored. It has been completely restored. And on my last trip to Guyana, everything was done to make sure that in my hand luggage, in my baggage, Kirk’s baggage, the painting returned to Trinidad and Tobago. And I thought that its best and safest place from Guyana is at the place where Trinidad and Tobago entertains higher officials from outside of our culture usually.”
Dr. Rowley expressed excitement at seeing the painting displayed once more, ensuring its rightful place in the nation’s cultural heritage.
Dr. LeRoy Clarke’s daughter, Adaeze Clarke said she was proud to be his daughter in that moment to welcome the piece home.
I remember this piece in Mt. Hope Villas this piece was downstairs as in just outside of the kitchen so seeing it today was such a surprise, you know I was surprised and I’m glad that it is the piece that came home, what does it mean to come home Daddy is a child and a son of the soil and so it is very important that his work is here.
Dr Clarke who died on July 21, 2021 painted Ogun, Eye Shape Worlds in 1997.