A Unique Perspective on the...Chinese Worker

By Nigel Telesford

Amidst all the controversy and criticism surrounding the construction of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), one man looked above and beyond the noise and drew inspiration from the moment.

"While this building was under construction," said artist, Richard Mark Rawlins "I would observe the Chinese workers every morning as I dropped my daughter to school at Bishops (Anstey High)… and one of the things that struck me was the way in which they evolved during their time here: At first there was a uniformity to them that made them all appear to be the same, but as time passed I began to notice subtle differences in their bodies and their behaviour that inspired me and inspired the work."

The "work" in this instance is one powerful image, used to create a collection of items emblazoned with this and similar images and entitled "Chinese Worker". It began as a simple photograph taken by Rawlins and evolved into a collection of enamel cups, five washboards, one painting and an "artist's statement" in the form of a short video documentary.

"There are so many things that we utilise every day that are made in China," said Rawlins. "Like the enamel cups, which I got at a Port of Spain store by the way, which is another Chinese-owned shopping centre… So I started examining the brand, made in China, but in a different sense and at that point, the worker icon was born. I didn't only want to capture the entity, but also the identity of these people, who weren't here before and suddenly appeared on our landscape in large numbers and even as they transformed the landscape, they were themselves also changing and becoming in a very real sense, Trinidadians."

No stranger to the Arts, Mariel Brown modestly lists her contribution as simply "helping him out" by "shooting the interview". However, she is listed on the short as Director of Photography and was busy keeping track of stock and payments on opening night.

"I think it's thoughtful and smart," she said "I think he's a brilliant designer and I love the way he can reduce an image to its purest form. I think if he plays his cards right it's going to be a wonderful brand which is definitely identifiable: the Chinese Worker. I'm very excited by it!"

As the Creative Director of a well-known advertising agency located in St Clair, Rawlins is accustomed to exploring his artistic passion and hopes to provide a unique perspective on the Chinese worker.

"While all the talk was going on about the Chinese people and all the things they were building and all who felt they shouldn't be here and they shouldn't be building this or that," explained Rawlins, "you had these people who came here to do a job and send money back home to their families. And that was very important to me because we are a welcoming people, that's what we do; we bring you into our house, we feed you, we take you out and make sure you have a good time and this is just my way of marketing the moment before something happens and all the Chinese workers suddenly go back home and we forget that they were ever here.

"As a designer I try to marry media and what I want to say in a way that's resonant and I wanted to find some way to include components which were really Chinese in the work so I could speak to them, for them and about them at the same time. So this is my little way of paying homage to them and the contributions they have made to our society and of course, Alice Yard is the place for contemporary art, so I had to showcase the work here."

"Chinese Worker" began on Thursday and ended yesterday at Alice Yard, 80 Robert Street in Woodbrook. On Friday night, celebrated choreographer, Dave Williams performed a special piece to enhance the exhibit, alongside a performance from Bajan trombonist, Jomo Slusher and Moyenne pianist, Chantal Esdelle.

At first glance, the exhibit seemed quirky and almost laughable. However, after viewing Rawlins statement and thinking for a moment about the phenomena of the Chinese worker and the impact he has had on our society, like a Chinese proverb: it eventually makes sense. Me likee!

For more information on Rawlins and his work, log on to: www.richardmarkrawlins.blogspot.com or www.artzpub.com

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sunday-mix/A_Unique_Perspective_on_the_Chinese_Worker-101948858.html