Trinidadian artist, painter, poet, philosopher, teacher and Shashamane Ambassador, Dr LeRoy Clarke speaks with CaribDirect.com
(1) What was your schooling like? Did you naturally have a preference for the arts?
My youthful years were simply exciting. My scholastic achievements were average –Elementary, followed by Secondary education. However, Eye loved being in school. At nine years old, Eye became a bit of a truant; the adventures in the surrounding hills fascinated me more than schoolwork. And so, Eye will ‘break biche’… L’ecole biche’… Run away from school.
(2) Was your family (parents & siblings) artistically inclined?
Not particularly. The house was Mother’s palace. Daddy was a master of all trades. One brother is a talented panist… one is a graphic artist.
(3) What motivated you to take the lead singing role of the Beamers?
Eye love music. Eye love to sing and to whistle. Being in the Beamers was fun. 
We were five young men and a guitar, loving the sound of our voices and having fun! As shy as Eye was, Eye closed my eyes to the audience and sailed in our romantic reveries. We imitated The Platters, The Inkspots, The Mills Brothers and many other popular singers of the late fifties. We recorded two 45’s. (Cook)…
(4) Why didn’t you pursue a musical career?
Singing was a hobby, one of the many that boys of my time used to have. Kite flying, spinning tops we made, crafting things. Eye became a Teacher, which too, was of a simple joy that did not grab me as a job, even though Eye taught officially for almost ten years. Eye had my own dreams of becoming an athlete, a boxer. Eye also played soccer, cricket and tennis. Was the stage manager for the Trinidad Theatre Workshop, and was a very active Community Worker.
(5) Did your parents play a part in your decision to follow art?
They were quite informal and not demanding of me anything but to be gainfully
employed and not become a parasite. My mother had dreams of me becoming an Engineer, one who flew planes! However, they enjoyed my experiments or my hobbies.
(6) What did it feel like making your first art sale at 24 years old?
A memorable experience, indeed; imagine someone appreciating that trinket so much! Eye understand it has handsomely increased in value from $15.00. Eye am as delighted now as Eye was then. Eye was inspired to work harder. Two years later Eye staged my first One-man exhibition of ninety-odd bits, which Eye called: A Labour of Love.
(7) Who would you say was your greatest influence on your creativity as an artist?
Too many people to mention have played significant roles in my pursuit of Art. My sources are far fetched and varied. Included in my motivations are: philosophy, music, psychology, architecture and ecology. Of all the painters who have impressed me greatly, it is the attitude of the Mexican Muralists to make of their art, aesthetics not void of philosophical and historical confrontation, inspiring public consternation and debate.
(8) What do you recall being your greatest challenge as a young artist entering the United States market?
Eye may have had lofty ambitions regarding the Art Market, but those have never, ever reared their heads as any real motivation. The constant theme of my work is one of Self-discovery. A quest to re-chart the ruin that has left Africa bereft of his psychic compass.
(9) What would you say was your most memorable exhibition?
De Douens. First exhibited at Howard University in 1976 and in Trinidad in 1979.Those are signature pieces. They empowered me to become De Artist as Painter, Poet and Philosopher Eye am!
(10) Are you satisfied with Caribbean opportunities for artists?
Definitely not. For whatever reason, a political culture has emerged, fully insensitive to the yearnings of the Caribbean imagination; bent to stultify the soul of this bountiful region, it has successfully crippled our humanity. Virtually dim are the prospects of us becoming a Society; rather, a rabid public is a glee in mediocrity and consumerism.
(11) Do you think the current global economic downturn can be an opportunity for the advancement of the arts in the Caribbean?
No. Capriciously, yes! At this stage, a revolutionary stance has to counter the 
present surge for material power. The idea of a vision of a whole Landscape of Consciousness has to be nourished, encouraged to interrupt this demise. New forms of Education have to be insisted upon us…
(12) You’ve received many awards. Which one stands out as being most dear to you?
In this present state of boisterous affairs, Awards are too formidably based in corruption to make any worthy sense out of them. They are tools of exploitation. Eye have had to wrestle those that have come my way into modes that comport my own disposition, by declaring: Enter the Whore House but do not sleep. When you sleep there and dream, you eventually become the dream of that House! Eye am therefore putting my Obeah to work on them.
(13) What would you regard as your most precious piece of work?
There is a toss-up between WEAVERS OF THE DUST (1976) And SLAVESHIP CALLED FOSSIL OF MEMORY (1990).
(14) Are any of your children following in your footsteps?
Sadly no. Definitely not in the Arts… Even for them, there is too much agony in being Africa conscious.
(15) With your many accolades and professional accomplishments do you consider yourself something of maverick and role model for aspiring artists?
It is said often enough: Eye am definitely the One to beat! Eye am comfortable with that. Eye am my own risk. De Pointerman.
(16) Over your illustrious career what would you consider your one regret?
The dream of having a Family perish.
(17) What aspect of your personality do you think defines you as a person?
Eye am a Scorpio. Not easily satisfied. Eye am extremely conscious and unbearably critical. Eye am faithful to my Word. All wrapped in One!
(18) What would you most want to be remembered for?
Arting my life. Authoring the Redemption of selves from the thrall of Douendom to dwell in the sovereign graces of El Tucuche… To that end, Eye have established a Foundation –DE LEGACY: HOUSE OF EL TUCUCHE.
(19) Please describe your role in the educational non-profit Shashamane Sunrise? You have been described as the “Father of Shash” and the “Honorary Chairman of Shashamane T&T”.
Bearing in mind that that is a “description” and not an award in a formal sense; knowing too that this organization is yet in its embryonic stages, Eye have accepted the role of being a severe Eye on its attaining efficacious groundings that would ensure the ideals set forth.
(20) What guidance can you give the young people wishing to pursue their dreams to become the next great artist from Africa or the Caribbean
Be born as if to a Dream, all your own to be fulfilled. Train self to match any sacrifice that may be demanded in order to fuel that faith that is in accord with the allure deeply felt in the privacy of a personality that senses a unique power that constantly teases us to see light and touch it. Now, if it’s ours to be cognate to that inner moment of mystery that moves us to create, and with patience, to gather with the eye the soft unfolding petals of any flowering idea in mind, we need only to be grateful!
The Elder, Chief Ifa’ Oje’ Won Yomi Abiodun. LeRoy Clarke
Trinidadian artist, painter, poet, philosopher, teacher and Shashamane Ambassador, Dr LeRoy Clarke speaks with CaribDirect.com
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