Brian MacFarlane celebrates the mas

1 Being in the public eye what would you like people to know about you that they probably don’t know or are probably misinformed about?

People would not know that I am a God-fearing person who accepts with great humility and appreciation the creative blessings bestowed upon me and that I view all persons no matter what their status, race or religion as equal.

2 Where were you born and where did you grow up?

Born at St Clair’s Nursing Home then called “Park’s Nursing Home” and grew up in Petit Valley, West Trinidad.

3 Who were the people who have influenced you the most in your career?

In my career there were a number of individuals who influenced me, George Bailey, Wayne Berkeley, Peter Minshall and Carlisle Chan, some maybe more than others. George Bailey for his ethnic and earthy presentations and innovative work with metals such as copper and brass, Wayne Berkeley for his intricate designs and delicate and meticulous beading, Peter Minshall for his theatrical presentations and innovation through form, structure and movement and Carlisle Chan for his theatrical stage type productions through mas.

4 Tell us about your inspiration to do the type of “work” you do.

My inspirations come from a wide array of things. It could be from a movie, a walk in nature or from current and topical issues in our country or the world as a whole. My inspiration to do the type of work I do is my burning desire for being creative and giving balance and form to environments and space around me. From a young boy it was always my desire to pursue my profession in the arts and this I did when I left St Anthony’s College and began working for the then popular carnival band leader Raoul Garib.

5 Which of your work(s) do you rate as the most satisfying and memorable?

My most memorable would be my carnival king presentation of 1994 which I designed and created for the now deceased Anthony Paul entitled “The Conquest” based on Greek mythology and which portrayed the slaying of Medusa by Perseus. This costume gained me my first north King of Carnival and later that same year gained the title of Carnival King costume of the world.

6 At what schools/institutions did you receive your education?

Maria Regina Grade School and then St Anthony’s College.

7 Which is your favourite calypso/soca song of all time, and your favourite pieces of music or songs (non-calypso)?

“Rain-O-Rama” by Lord Kitchener. Favourite piece of music is “Samba Pati” by Santana. Favourite song is “Right Here Waiting For You” by Richard Marx.

8 What advice would you give to the young people of Trinidad and Tobago?

My advice to the youth of today would be whatever you are passionate about in life is what you should pursue as a profession. You will give it your very best and in return the universe will give you your highest rewards.

9 If you could dine with anyone in history who would it be and why?

Oprah Winfrey because although coming from such humble beginnings she has become a world figure who has over the years hosted simple and insignificant people, celebrities and movie stars, as well as world leaders and influential decision makers.

10 If you could pick any singer/entertainer and/or band to perform just for you, one local, one foreign, who would you choose?

The singer I would choose would be Enya, the local performer David Rudder.

11 What daily motto do you live by and in three words, your recipe for success?

To always give of your very best in your endeavors. Recipe for success in three words: “Respect, Honesty, and Passion.”

12 What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?

When I was requested by the talented, now deceased, Judy Sanchez to a meeting at Peter Minshall’s home where I was asked to be part of the Callaloo Company and work with Peter Minshall. At this same time I was contemplating opening my own design studio and was given one week to make a decision. I spoke with numerous friends and family members and as enticing as the offer was I still decided to venture out on my own.

13 What is your greatest accomplishment in your profession and outside of this arena?

A single greatest accomplishment in my profession would be hard to identify. I can say there are many such as my work for the hosting of Prince Charles, Rudolph Giuliani and General Powell as well as my awards received for Carnival. The hatrick I received for Carnival this year and most recently in the July 2008 issue of World Night Clubs magazine cover page recognition as one of the world top night club designs for Space la Nouba in San Fernando. Outside of my profession my greatest accomplishment has been the respect and support of persons who have come to know me along my life’s journey.

14 Your pet peeve? Your favourite form of relaxation?

My pet peeve currently is our society in which for the most part it seems persons have lost respect for each other. My greatest form of relaxation is being in my garden.

15 If you had to solve the ills that prevail in TT what would you do?

I would begin by putting stronger emphasis on culture and art as it has been proven that countries that place greater emphasis on these creative resources have far lower levels of crime and violence.

16 Do you support the changing of the dates for Carnival as some have suggested in the mas fraternity and why?

No, absolutely not! I do not support the changing of the dates for Carnival. Carnival is a pre-Lenten celebration which is the freeing of oneself and this is what has been for some 200 years. The changing of the dates of Carnival means changing Lent in my view.

17 When, through your work or otherwise, you experience the fallout of social issues happening in our country, what are your thoughts, solutions?

The fallout of social issues has been experienced by me in recent times in the difficulty of finding persons who are willing to give of their time and themselves, a good day’s work and being passionate about what they do and finding esteem for themselves. My thoughts are that for myself growing up as a young man things were different ie people were more conscious of how they applied themselves in their work and exhibited a greater caring to and for each other. Solutions I think would be for national personalities/celebrities whether in sport, culture or public service to convey greater self respect and human dignity though their representations and activities in music, art and lives.

18 What was it like growing up in your family?

I came from a middle class family, four siblings and myself in a modest home. We are a very close-knit family and I enjoyed the normal pleasures of growing up with the freedom of living without the concerns of crime and violence of today.

19 Of all your shows, concerts, performances, creations, designs, event co-ordination etc, which would you like a first time audience, listener, viewer to experience?

I would have to say the performance which assisted in Denyse Plummer being crowned the Calypso Monarch for which I created the theatrical stage production of costumed moko jumbies, fire breathers, and floor dancers plus the design of Denyse’s costume.

20 What goals andor ambitions do you still have?

To continue creating vanguard and award winning designs especially in the Carnival arena with presentations that deal with current, topical and social issues focusing on our peaceful co-existence with the universe and to one day be interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on my years of work in the creative field.