Turunesh and Jean Phillipe

Turunesh and her son Jean Phillipe have a very strong resemblance. That resemblance continues in their artwork, which she describes as a “journey and an evolution,” which she will soon share with Trinidad and Tobago at an upcoming exhibition at Alliance Francaise at 17 Alcazar Street, St Clair on February 5. Entitled Return to the Source, the Studio 66 in Barataria has been asked to jointly facilitate and curate the exhibition, which will run until February 20. Born in Ethiopia, Turunesh (her name means “beautiful and pure” in Amaric) uses selections mixed media to create her works; from handmade paper to embroidery, her creations reflect the colourful and traditional past in Africa, her homeland. She’s been living in Trinidad for the past eight years, but its the first time that such a body of work (hers and Jean Phillipe’s) will be on exhibit like this. “We’ve been part of group exhibits many times, but this is a first for us,” said Turunesh. “We will be showing our paintings and sculpture, along with some clothing and jewelery from native Ethiopia. What you will see is a body of work which records an evolution (a personal one) and then a joint evolution with me and my son, who joined me after I began mine.”

Even though this is their first showing together, they had participated in the Indigenous Fashion Design and Accessories Trade fair in Maracas Valley, where they won first prize for having the most creative designs. Also at the CAWE Art and Craft Fiesta, where they were given the trophy for most creative booth. Turunesh (who speaks fluent French and Italian) has lived in France for many years and has quite an extensive art record there. Since leaving her homeland, she has travelled extensively throughout her career visiting such places as London, Cuba and Curacao. Back in Europe, she and her son were twice invited to exhibit at the Biennial of Design in St Etienne, France. She also possesses a BA (Hons.) in Art and Design and a postgraduate diploma in creative print making from the University of London. “My evolutionary path to art began a long time ago, but my ability to express myself visually in my paintings began in 1979,” she explained. “I’ve ‘tripped’ over art... actually, I was looking for something to make money with. I was looking for work, which was hard as my English was not very good. So I started to paint little icons, which are really religious vignettes. I did well with those and kept on. From that it developed into something personal, using my own imagination, dreams and thoughts. Ethiopian art is mostly inspired by religion. Ethiopian traditional art varies from leather or goatskin paintings to illustrative stories of the meeting between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, done mostly in story board form, like little vignettes; it’s a very popular story there, everyone knows it. We also do domestic scenes, similar to art in Trinidad. Like people making coffee, pounding grain, dancing, family scenes... its very social.”

Her son’s background includes involvement in many training programmes and workshops in TT. In France, he attended the Ec?le de Sourfleur de Vevve where he obtained a diploma in glass blowing. He’s also been a facilitator of an art workshop in that country and singlehandedly organised a “Day of Art” celebrated in 1993. “My artistic journey began a long time ago,” said Jean Phillipe, his French accent very noticeable. “All this time (in France) I’ve been painting for organisations, like the Ministry of Health and Education on contract. I had also organised a ‘Day of Art’ back in 1993, while at the college, but I really loved doing the glass blowing, because of the power to create something from nothing.., that feeling of creation. It’s something where you work alone, no one can come to tell you, ‘you’re not doing this correctly’... it’s good for me. It gives me all the freedom I need to create. “Glass is a very complex and dangerous media to work with indeed, as it can become very unstable if you don’t know what you are doing, or remember what steps you need to take... If you don’t know what you are doing, your creation can shatter on you, just like that.” He then showed off a few of his tiny glass art creations. A bird, glass buttons and a beautiful perfume bottle, designed to either lay in a box or placed in an appropriate stand. Following this, they showed off their art, which varied between collaborative pieces and single efforts. There were even carved chairs that could be taken apart. And she made her own handmade paper. But there was no hiding the pride in Turunesh’s voice about her son’s work. “He has produced a number of art pieces in glass. He has quite a portfolio. Very versatile. He can sculpt, paint, do just about everything. I think we complement each other very well, but don’t think we don’t have conflicts! (They both laughed.) Conflicts are good... he calls me a dictator... (more laughter from Jean Phillipe.) but we find a level where we can agree.”

Most of Turunesh’s work for the upcoming exhibition was done on a special rag paper from England, which lends itself to many types of media, including embroidery. In one piece, there were symbols in Amaric, an old Ethiopian writing, which she said only the priests knew. “Embroidery was traditionally done by the men of Ethiopia,” she explained. “This piece is special to me, because it’s to do with the ancestors. We are Orisa, therefore that expression is Orisacentric.” She also showed some jewelry; one necklace had an unusual pendant, an old silver coin with a bust of Queen Victoria. “I can only be guided by people’s reactions,” said Turunesh. “I can only be guided by what people say. One thing they say is that it’s very different from what they are accustomed to seeing. It’s different, it makes them think. So some may like it, some may not, but they all get a reaction when they stop to look at it... it has some level of provocativeness. We leave the work to people’s interpretation, which is why all of our works are untitled.” At present, they have an outlet in West Mall (Moulet) and another called Quest on Ariapita Ave in Woodbrook, where you can get specially made T-shirts, clothing and jewelry.