Art visual np2

Wendy Nanan's 'Books and Stupas' at Medulla Art Gallery The Sound of Ohm, papier-mache and acrylics, 40"x28"x5". Photo by Andre Bagoo. THE BOOKMAN is one of the quieter traditional Carnival characters. But make no mistake, he speaks loudly. Sometimes called Beelzebub, Gownman or Ruler, Bookman is a central character in devil mas portrayals. He exists among a world of imps and beasts. His costume consists of Tudor-style gowns, richly embroidered; made of velvet and satin, with a pleated bodice and a flowing cape depicting biblical scenes. It is an invocation of power, religious and political. On the Bookman’s head is a crown the shape of a large horned head: a pink-fleshed Satan mask. Crucially, the Bookman is not only the silent puppeteer of the imps, but he carries a pen and a large book in which to write the names of the damned. It is a bulky book. Wendy Nanan’s haunting show at the Medulla Art Gallery draws upon aspects of the character in order to, in equ...

Poet Vladimir Lucien reads at the reading held at the Wendy Nanan show as part of the build-up to the Bocas Lit Fest 2012. On Friday, a group of poets and writers read at the basement of the Medulla Art Gallery on Fitt Street. As they read, giant books done by Wendy Nanan as part of her ongoing show at Medulla, looked on in silence. The event was part of the build-up to the Bocas Lit Fest, to be held at the end of the month.  Among those featured were: Lisa Allen-Agostini; Barbara Jenkins; Anu Lakhan and Vladimir Lucien. The reading took place among work done by Wendy Nanan for her 'Books and Stupas' exhibition. Wendy Nanan (right) chats after the event 'Witness' by Wendy Nanan, papier-mache, acrylics and chalk, 33"x28"x20"

FROM THE ORGANISERS: Medulla Art Gallery is pleased to invite you to "books and Stupas" by Wendy Nanan Opening reception: Tuesday 03rd April 2012  6.30pm – 9.00pm at 37 Fitt Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain RSVP 740 7597/ medullaartgallery@gmail.com Exhibition continues until Tuesday 24th April 2012 Special Event: Tales for the Bookman Friday 13th April, 7.00 pm presented by the NGC Bocas Lit Fest Four writers read stories and poems responding to the works in "books and Stupas" - Featuring Lisa Allen-Agostini, Barbara Jenkins, Anu Lakhan, and Vladimir Lucien ABOUT THE SHOW: I wanted to make books because as a child, fascinated and frightened by the book-man mas’, still I wanted to peep behind the book and see what he was writing and hiding. Surprisingly The Devil is thinking of religion and the shortness of life. Yet it is the form that holds interest the most, that unwieldy bulky square of accordion pages. I feel I could explore forever, seeing where it leads. Wend...