Stamps launched in honour of Cazabon

COMMEMORATIVE stamps in five denominations in honour of renowned Trinidad artist, Jean Michel  Cazabon, were unveiled at the National Museum last week Wednesday, as part of celebrations on the 190th anniversary of the birth of Cazabon.

Later this month, a calendar showcasing Cazabon’s work will also be issued. At the unveiling ceremony Minister in the Ministry of Culture Edward Hart revealed plans by the Ministry to issue the calendar, while disclosing that the museum recently acquired an important collection of Cazabon’s paintings from Christie’s of London. The issuing of the commemorative stamps was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Culture and Public Utilities and TTPost. The stamps will be available in denominations of $1 — “View of Port-of-Spain from Laventille Hill”, $2.50 — “View of Diego Martin from Fort George,” $3.75 — “Corbeaux Town, Trinidad,” $4.50 — “Rain Clouds over Cedros” and $5.25 — “Los Gallos, Icacos Bay.” Additionally, there will be a miniature souvenir sheet available at a cost of $11.50.

Art historian and Cazabon biographer, Geoffrey MacLean, in his remarks at the unveiling called for a “new home” for national collections. He said the museum’s curator Vel Lewis, was now restricted hence the need to find a “proper and lasting place for national collections.” MacLean also bemoaned the fact that “we wait too long to recognise our artists.” He asked that other artists receive similar recognition for their work and that “we should not wait 150 years” before recognising these artists. MacLean said it was a welcome effort to promote Cazabon’s work, which is known worldwide. He explained that he was driven to write and research the work of Cazabon, after discovering there was no research publication on local artists. He recalled that Cazabon’s family was from Martinique and settled in the north of Naparima. Cazabon was the youngest of four children and was educated in England before studying art in Paris.

Minister of Public Utilities Pennelope Beckles, in her address, said she hoped the collection would increase awareness and appreciation of Cazabon’s genius. She pointed out that the last stamps in his honour were issued in 1976. Chairman of the TTPost Board Patt Christopher noted that the collection was part of TTPost’s four-year programme for stamps highlighting the culture, history and other aspects of Trinidad life.