Passion for art

Chen has been working diligently on his most recent piece, “A Triumphant Christ” before the celebrations of the 200 year anniversary of Chinese arrival in Trinidad.

“You always see the crucifix showing Christ bloody and beaten but this piece will show a triumphant Christ” said Chen excitedly.

The golden sculpture will be erected at the entrance to the Les Efforts Roman Catholic Church. Proud of his heritage, Chen told Newsday that this would be his contribuiton to the 200 year anniversary celebrations.

“I would usher in the arrival of ‘Triumphant Christ’ some 2000 years after he was crucified just in time for the Chinese community’s celebration of their 200 year anniversary of arrival” said a smiling Chen.

Chen, 71, was born on October 23, 1934, to John and Iris Chen, who were immigrants from Guangdong Province in China.

Versatile and inquisitive in his daily approach to life, Willi Chen, is of international repute for his dynamic work in various fields. A businessman, artist, playwright, poet, journalist, author and mentor, Chen has achieved his wildest dreams.

“I always wanted to do everything that I could in my short lifetime and this may be my biggest flaw. No one can do everything, but I think I have come close” he said.

Among his many certificates, honours and merits, Chen cherishes the Chaconia Silver medal, with which he was honoured this year and the Hummingbird Silver medal which he recieved in 1989. In 2000, Chen was deemed the most important Caribbean writer of Chinese origin and in 2005, was honoured with the San Fernando East Constituency Award for Art and Culture.

Chen, who is the founder of four companies, was also recently nominated for the position of mayor of the city of San Fernando. Chen’s business endeavours include: Crystal Fountain Bar, Grocery and Restaurant; Wonderbread Bakery Products; Printex Converters Printing and Packaging as well as Jawigon Transport and Rentals — Haulage and Earthmoving. Chen is also a member of the executive board of US Chemicals which was founded in 2004 and, similar to all Chen’s businesses, is run by members of his family.

“ When I was 16 years old, my father collapsed while supervising the construction of our property and I had to rise to the mantle of the home” Chen told Newsday.

Fresh out of school and inexperienced, Chen had no clue what running a business entailed. However, he said that he jumped into it wholeheartedly because there was a need for certain products on the market.

Perhaps his stint in construction is responsible for his being an avid sculptor. He explained that he bought a welding machine so that he could personally complete the construction of his parents home and business place. “It is that very machine that I use to create my work” said the sculptor. Chen has earned international acclaim for his works and was awarded first prize for his mural steel sculpture, ‘Solar Marinorama’ in a competiton hosted by Central Bank in 1988. Solar Marinorama is 64 feet by 14 feet in dimension and is on permanent display at the bank.

The Marabella Roman Catholic Church, altar and crucifix, Printex converters building, Pagoda Building, Plaisance Park Roman Catholic Church and the San Fernando Arts Council Building have all be designed and features art by Chen. For years, it was a Christmas tradition to view the cr?che at the Marabella roundabout. An undertaking that brought no financial gain to Chen but he revelled in the task of creating beautiful scenes out of various types of materials.

Chen also conducts free painting and drawing workshops and still conducts free writing classes at home.

Chen told Newsday that he is dedicated fully to promoting the arts and literacy.

Over the years, Chen has written over 25 plays and has designed and built approximately 50 sets for drama on stages both local and abroad. Among Chen’s award winning plays are Tainted Blood, Cayu Catyenne, Freedom Road, One Love, Change of Heart and Monkey Point. His literary works include King to the Carnival, Rain Fire Poems, Callaloo, Caribbean Wave and Caribbean Writer and his most recent work, Return to Guangdong will be published later this year by Macmillan Publishers.