Che Lovelace – complex artist, wave rider

On August 12, Che Lovelace: Paintings 2004 – 2008 launched his first volume in The Lovelace Project’s Trinidad and Tobago Artist Series at the National Museum and Art Gallery. His work has been exhibited at several regional biennials, including the Santo Domingo Bienale and the VI Bienale de Pintura in Cuenca, Ecuador. Most recently, his work was included in the third Valencia Bienale 2007 at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, Spain. Aside from his art, Lovelace is also well-known for his surfing skills which has won him many competitions throughout the years.

1.What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Complex.

2.What do you think the secret to a good life is?

Encourage the good and positive aspects in people (there will always be enough people who focus on the negative). Listen to your inner voice (the good inner voice… the bad one, you keep in check)… Intuition is the most underrated guide.

3.What was your childhood dream?

To be a magician.

4.What do you like to do in your spare time?

Discovery, Fuel, National Geographic, History, Ovation... these are my favourite cable channels.

5.What is your favourite food?

Roti with pepper.

6.What are the things you cannot live without?

Imagination and my Mac.

7.Who do you admire most in your life?

Those who have the least materially but still manage to keep the spirit of life held high.

8.What traits do you find most attractive in a mate?

Straight-forwardness, humility and passion.

9.What is the one thing that you would want your children to learn about life?

It’s more like, what you put into your life is what you get back from it.

10.What is an interesting facet of your personality that most people do not know about you?

I don’t know if I would use the word “interesting” but my eyes well up with tears at the slightest display of emotion in a film or in a song.

11.What is the most interesting person, place, or thing that you have had the opportunity to meet, learn or experience?

Driving through downtown one day, a man with a movement disability was crossing the road; he used crutches and moved slowly one step at a time, exerting a tremendous effort to control his spasms … each one of his steps simultaneously a struggle and a triumph. Sitting in the car for what seemed an eternity, I reflected on all the little stupidness we complain about and all the excuses we make to ourselves and others about why we can’t do this or do that... about why we can’t move ourselves and our world forward. The sun was hot in the sky, the man was drenched with sweat and he made it across that road. I tend to remember this experience from time to time.

12.If you had an opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be?

It would be kinda cool to sip two Stag and chill with Obama for a bit… talk about life and ambition.

13.What is your worst habit?

Apparently, it is blowing snot out one of my nostrils, while a finger closes the other one … this, in open air.

14.What is the hardest thing you ever had to do?

Math at O’ level.

15.What was your most embarrassing experience ever?

That would still be, just a really bad case of diarrhoea in primary school.

16.What is your pet peeve?

People who don’t have manners.

17.Do you have any regrets?

I regret the times I have wasted time.

18.What is the one thing you would like to accomplish before you die?

I would like to stand in the eye of a huge wave (on a surfboard of course) The inside of this wave….(what we would call the “barrel”) ….. will be bigger and more powerful than any I have ever ridden. It will be a twisting blue-green caravan, with sunlight filtering through. Inside there, with time standing still, maybe I will become one with God but if this never happens I am happy to surf the waves of Toco till I am 105 years old.

19.What is the best compliment you have ever received?

“Che, you really like people.”

20.What is your personal motto?

Dream, work … Work, dream.