It has been said that if Christopher Columbus revisited the Caribbean today, when viewing Dominica from seaward, he would find that it looked the same as it did centuries ago: nothing has changed.
The same could be said of Michelangelo and scores of Renaissance painters and sculptors if they were able to visit my workshops and studio at Antrim. My materials and techniques have changed very little since their time. When it comes down to craftsmanship: nothing has changed.
The series of pictures that accompany this commentary illustrate the processes involved in figurative sculpture.
(1) The figure is first modelled in clay.
(2) From the clay a plaster mold is made.
(3) The clay is then removed and into the assembled mold I pour plaster.
(4) The mold is then chipped away to reveal the “master” plaster cast.
(5) A second mold is made from the master cast and from this, a wax impression is made for the final cast in bronze.
That, in a nutshell, covers hundreds of individual steps, a lifetime’s experience and no less than a year’s work for a life-size figure. The past masters would recognize all the materials and be familiar with every step along the way. Nothing has changed!
The same can be said for my work as an engineer. In my workshop I have replicated precision parts that machine shops overseas have given up on. Many of my tools and measuring instruments are engraved with my grandfather’s name. Some of my machines are as old as I am but can still work to an accuracy to one tenth the diameter of a hair from your head. Nothing in my workshop is Computer Numerically Controlled.
For my recent experiments in making paper from Dominica’s rich natural resources, I built a machine, the design of which dates back to the 17th century. Nothing more recent can do the job half as well. I am now making my own dyes and grinding my own colours, just as was done hundreds of years ago. Nothing has changed!
All the above may give the impression that I’m stuck in a time-warp, but that is not so. As an innovative engineer I have contributed to the improvement of many present day designs – including the gear shift on the car you drive – and for all my work, the internet is a valuable resource.
In particular, the internet has enabled me to share my work as a sculptor and painter with thousands of art students throughout the world. In the 1990’s my on-line diary pages pioneered bringing art into school classrooms and the UK government commissioned a sculpture specifically to further that initiative. The site has since won international acclaim and can be found at: sculpturestudiodominica.blogspot.com
As a sculptor and painter I work from the live model. Likewise, the art student needs the stimulus of learning from a live teacher.
The success of a work of art is dependent on the artist’s eye to hand co-ordination and visual judgement. These attributes have become neglected in recent times. The demise is particularly apparent in the design of our built environment.
As a step towards solving this dilemma, I have in mind, specifically for students here in Dominica, a one year Foundation Course in the Visual Arts. The course will serve as an introduction to all aspects of the visual arts. Studio sessions will emphasis the practical and on-line research will investigate the work of artists past and present.
I have tried this launching this initiative before, but whereas elsewhere in the world students would be queueing around the block to enroll, Dominican students have been conspicuous by their absence. In general they are encouraged to be a lawyers or bank managers and not another Van Gogh, Rodin or Roger Burnett.
But having said that, I am regularly approached by disillusioned graduates – all too often working behind the till at a supermarket – that tell me that if they had only known on leaving school that art was an option, they would have jumped at it. With that in mind, if any prospective school leavers are tempted to jump, please drop a line to: [email protected]
I thank those who have responded to my commentary. It gives me hope!
I welcome visitors and my email address is given in the commentary. I look toward to hearing from you.
Regards, Roger
Dating back from 1979 – 2019 there has been mounting losses of all kinds to many many dominicians. In light of those losses are we still emotionally healthy, wounded, depressed and becoming impulsive? Are we getting more raw in our behavioral pattern?
Beyond the monetary help we need a colossal sacred shrine overlooking Roseau; a symbol to be seen from miles away on land and sea to help reconstruct and elevate our spiritual imagination and the Soul of the nation in a church-free way.
Now that our plight as a nation is known worldwide (and locally) I am confident there are sculptors, engineers, designers who would cherish the opportunity to build something old yet something new to highlight the “fractured” faith in many and to bear on the actions and attitudes of individuals, our nation, and, indeed, our world.
An entire country battered as much as Dominica has been in the last couple of years has to have a lot of spiritual emotions damaged as well.
Are we up for more dreadful tragedies?
If we are to revisit cities and countries in the past over a span of hundreds of years the evidence points to riotous and wicked behaviors, morals thrown ‘under the truck’, scenes and practices of a sacrilegious nature by natives.
Close to home that was evident in St Pierre, Martinique and the ghastly writing appeared on the wall for the citizens of that town in 1902 – total destruction. Are we remembering, or seeing a similar behavior pattern in sections of the population in Dominica especially Roseau and its suburbs?
Here is a suggestion for discussion and your persuasion .
Revamp the shrine at the Mourne over looking the Botanical Gardens and parts of Roseau. Since so much coco mak kak was carried out there decades ago. A rededicated image of the Risen Christ affixed to the existing Cross or next to it would be a start. A big and beautiful national shrine with well landscaped surroundings to accommodate visitors and pray…
Dear Roger,
Your articles are insightful and well regarded by those of us who appreciate art. Are you able to work with the Ministry of Education so your skills in the world of art – as displayed – can be taught to our young. In my days at the DGS we had woodwork, art class, technical school with welding where one class made a car out of discarded odds and ends. Today that sense of industry, appreciation for art, art fairs etc is dead. We also had the drama society and debating club, and elocution club. Keep up the good work and let me have way to contact you so we can work together. Share an email. God bless you good brother.
My email address is given at the end of the commentary. I look forward to hearing from you.
Roger I always look forward to your comments and articles. Hope you do not get discouraged by the passive majority. I think art has its place in every society and with the age of the internet and social media arts and social and cultural consciousness in general has exploded. Indeed, as you rightly noted, the world is your audience! Whereas your observation of the Dominican community may be true, I hope you are too discouraged. There are ways to insert conscious marketing and education. I think what you are doing through this media is great. I am not sure what you have also done in conjunction with the cultural department but I hope its not a mute point. There may be possibilities for funding for a summer class during domfesta or otherwise which could take off into other interests. There are also some private schools. Such interests should not be strictly a commercial thing but unfortunately people look closely at costs on one hand but are ok with spending same on a carnival costume
Back in the day as old folks say all Primary school heads played an instrument and taught music.I recall that a piano was prominently displayed in the assembly hall of the old Dominica Grammar School when i attended and a glee club existed; also art classes were taught at certain levels. The problem was that the teachers were not proficient and failed to hold the interests of the students because academics was the focus; ; parents wanted value for tuition . At some point vocational schools were established to provide balance. Clifton Dupigny was supposed to rstore the balance in our educational system but something went awry.
The concept of skill and art is totally lost in this society because standards are not set. We have singers who can’t play an instrument and artists who can’t spare the sacrifice for their profession. The small nation is being wrecked by the demand for instant gratification.
Winston, your observations about how it was back then was correct and maybe there should be a lot more directed interests in the arts these days, but it it already happening. Agreed maybe on a limited scale in DA, but private schooling has had an added dimension. Sometimes people don’t know what they may really find useful until they are pushed into it. An analogy in technology: Ask Microsoft and Apple how the pc and smartphone got so popular! It was not all because of public interest or existing framework! And I dare say same applies to certain lukewarm areas of interest. Sometimes it only takes exposure! I will leave you with two examples: scuba diving and hiking in Dominica. I was exposed and participated in these in Dominica when these were not so hot locally, but you would be amazed to see over the last 20 years how locals have embraced these (tourist labeled) activities in droves (and also to fill professional capacities) thanks to Divefest and the Hiking trail and some…