Ki to ete twa?
1968 can be considered the most important year for our country. After several years of slavery and indentureship under colonial rule, Mauritius finally became an independent state in 1968 under the leadership of Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam, our first prime minister. The struggle was hard and long as among the population, a good proportion still wanted to remain under British rule. And this led to communal strife, which left nearly 300 dead in the year preceding independence. It is in this dark context that Mauritius celebrated its independence from the United Kingdom on March 12, 1968. My work is an immersion in this specific period where the fight was for or against independence but the struggle was also between the majority and the minorities as the country was then divided and unfortunately still divided after 50 years. We became independent from our colonisers but not of our cultural and religious differences? Many of us identify ourselves, first and foremost as Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, Whites and Chinese rather than as Mauritians, which makes our coexistence very artificial and fragile as a nation. How many of us are real Mauritians and how many are not? Let's vote!
View artwork1968Moi Mo en Moricien
Le passé est le phare qui éclaire l'avenir des travailleurs, ceux des champs, des usines et des bureaux. C'est un passé marqué par le sceau indélébile d'une nouvelle force, jeune et dynamique, qui a donné à un pays, hier désespéré, des raisons pour combattre avec acharnement pour des idées nouvelles et généreuses. En septembre 1969 naissait le Mouvement Militant Mauricien (M.M.M.). Afin que l'histoire de Maurice s'accomplisse. Pour ce parti déjà bien structuré dans les premiers jours deseptembre 1969, la manifestation anti-Alexandra fut son baptême du feu. Ce mois de septembre fut riche en événements, et c'est lors de la manifestation anti-Alexandra au rond-point de Saint-Jean. La police effectua des arrestations le 14 septembre dont Paul Berenger . Des dizaines de militants furent arrêtés et traduits en justice. Pour les dirigeants du M.M.M. la princesse Alexandra était un symbole du capitalisme et du conservatisme.
View artwork1969Dhanka l'hiver 1970
Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has achieved considerable progress in both its economic growth and standard of living. The early 1970s appeared to herald a new era of prosperity , however poverty remained a harsh reality for numbers of Mauritian families. As a teenager I visited a remote village and till day I still remember how some household were living in absolute poverty. Dhanka l'hiver 1970 is an homage to all the labourers working in the sugarcane fields and who were so vulnerable to poverty. Their immense contributions in agriculture which was the core sector of the Mauritian economy is very significant. Dhanka is a bojpuri word derived from creole dancamps meaning Camps Sucriers
View artwork1970The Hard Days
It was the hard days of young sculptures and painters. Our elders mostly Sunday painters could afford during their trips abroad to bring back the required materials for their landscape for portrait paintings. Unfortunately young artist like me had to go to quincaillerie for white zinc paste crude linseed oil (the oil was to be left in water several days for purification) and “la colle forte”. For the glazing we used furniture varnish. Since canvas was available at all for us, we used “la toile ecru”. These works were not meant for exhibition or sales because I was on a period of research/ rodage. The work portrays the figure of a lady in an enquiry mood as if asking
View artwork1971From Roots to Peak
Mauritius has encountered over 600 shipwrecks in its naval history. The Egyptian SS Tayeb Cargo Ship, carrying steel, was one among which didn’t reach the port in 1972. In my work, the sinking of SS Tayeb serves as an excuse to articulate the important role of maritime link in the development of Mauritius. A small island in the mid of the Indian Ocean, heavily dependent on imports and exports, would not have survived without an efficient port. Underdeveloped at the time of independence, our Island has progressed rapidly although a very gloomy picture of its economic prospects was painted by many at that time. "From Roots to Peak" is in a triangular shape to describe the hierarchy pattern about how the island, from being at its lowest has now reached a growing stable economy.
View artwork1972SYKLONN B.I.O.T
Enn avertisman siklonn an viger dan larsipelchagos. L’intense siklonn B.I.O.T pou devaste larsipel,derasinn tou lavii mine keradikzotkiltir. An 1965 bann rafal violan ar B.I.O.T ti detas larsipelsagos arMoris. B.I.O.T finn pas ar tou solafors lor larsipel depi 1965 ziska 1973 ek 1400 dimounn inn anvoy moris ek 600 sesel (swadizan bann sant de refiz sa).Tou bann form resistans ti imposib akoz lafors siklonn la. Sa fer inpe plis kikarant an ki sa tanpet la pe devaste lavi bann sagosien ek li konseye pa mem pans sime retour. Larsipel res sou menas siklonn la ekprosinbiltin pou emet an septam 2018. Scientifiquement parlant l’archipel de chagos due par sa location n’a jamais étais affecté par un cyclone, mais malheureusement leur délogement de leur terre natal par les Anglais fut le plus grand des cyclone qu’ils ont connu. Monsieur Rozemond Samynaden (qui étais dans le dernier voyage de 1973 plus précisément le 28 Avril 1973) racontais comment il avait même pas le temps de ramasse les vêtement qui séchaient ou éteindre le feu. Mon travail illustre les enfants de chagos a travers seulement des leur vêtement et on comprends qu’il y au une désintégration de leur corps physique et Rosemond Samynaden qui résista pour la première fois en 1973.
View artwork1973Tribute to Dany Imbert
Time flies, memory dies- Dany Imbert’sreal nameDaniel Jean Robert alias TiLoto, a forgotten hero in the world of football in Mauritius. He is one of the most famous and best attacking players that our country has known. Player of Racing Club and part of Elahee Boys he confronted many renowned football clubs like Muslim Scouts, Fire Brigade, Hindu Cadets, Dodo,Tamil Cadets, Police Club. He was fast and a guy of fairplay. His dribbling skills caused havoc in the adverse team. He was admired and appreciated by his adversaries. Trained by great coaches like Cyril Esther, MamadeElahee, he kept making his way on the top list of footballers.An outstanding player in Mauritius team who scored the two goals against Guinée and Zaïre for the African Cup of Nationals (CAN 1974).It was thanks to him that the Mauritian team ever made it so far. History has marked his name in golden letters. But hopefully it does not disappear with time and he remains an inspiration for the generation to come..
View artwork1974Crying for help and shelter
I have assisted the year 1975, the cyclone Gervaise, which brought terror and remained unforgettable till many years, throughout its capacity on destroying houses of inhabitants. People were injured and even died, stuck in houses; which were covered with rainfall. Other sides, we heard at night, people crying for shelter from neibourghood. We took account, the blowing of strong winds, falling of trees on houses, cattle sheds being destroyed. Cultivation was covered with flood that lasted weeks, and thus provoking malaria and similar diseases. Mauritius was highly affected by this terrible event. Social aids were sought from other countries, mainly for food, clothes and shelter. We just imagine roofless people suffered such loss to that extent. We rather pray not to happen these moments again. My sculpture is connected with the remembrance of that period, expressing the feelings, Art piece, being shaped and carved on wood with a mix technique finish, supported on base.
View artwork1975SWEET - SUGARcane - SCENE
"Le pays bénéficie des accords de Lomé qui l'aident à se développer en vendant son sucre à des tarifs garantis avantageux » This artwork distills the essence of a specific period of time and national achievement. Refusing the figurative and descriptive visual, the piece also comments on the contemporary aesthetic through abstraction. The frame and the canvas establish and extend a lively dialogue between our past and our present.
View artwork19768791
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” - Søren Kierkegaard This piece takes the audience on a multi sensory journey through time.Technology, music, film, politics and television have a vital part to play in everybody’s life and the use of fragments - borrowed from various sources under the fair usage guidelines - from that time act as stimuli on the onlooker.The relics, audio visual extracts, images and sounds should bring back unique and personal memories of a long gone era in the minds of those born before nineteen seventy eight. On the other hand, the work is also an examination of the different objects from the seventies that have influenced and shaped our collective subconscious. For the younger audience, the piece might simply trigger curiosity or lead on to an investigative path to Mauritian life and the events in the year 1978.
View artwork1978Marye-Pike
In 1979, Mauritius was in an economic slick, the mauritians were struggling as the rate of unemployment was high. Harish Boodhoo encouraged a civil disobedience to express the measures found in the budget. Nearly all the mauritians followed him, 80% absenteism was recorded that 23rd June 1979. The country was paralysed.The government had to come back on their decision. United we stand divided we fall, when all mauritians united their efforts they broke the voke of the government.When we swim in the same direction we can break the net in which we are trapped.While joining our hands together things can be changed for a better future. Let’s “marye-pike” for the sake of all mauritians
View artwork1979Turbulence
1980 was terribly harsh for the inhabitants of Mauritius.In fact it is the post-independent year in which the economy shrank.In october 1979, the then government had accepted a 22.9 percent devaluation of the rupee in return for help from IMF to extricate the country from dire finances.The devaluation resulted in an increase of 27% in the cost of living in 1980, our already impoverished citizens were paying everything one third higher. One of the main reason for the massive negative effects of the devaluation in 1980 is undoubtedly mother nature, which sent within a period of 3 months,no less than 4 cyclones namely Claudette, Hyacinthe, Jacinthe and Laure.These cyclones created a havoc to an island heavily dependent on agriculture.
View artwork1980Ile Maurice vue par Malcom
1981, notre merveilleuse ile a connu beaucoup d`évènements comme le cyclone Helyette (,grève de la CWA, révoltes des chagossiens,politique de Sir Gaetan Duval etc...mais artistiquement parlant elle a su séduire quelques artistes comme notre fameau artiste-peintre mauricien, Mons Malcom de Chazal(12 sept 902-1er Oct 1981). Cet artiste peintre, ingénieur et poète avait une profonde admiration pour son Ile natale. A travers ma peinture, j`ai imaginé Ile Maurice comme Malcom le voyait car il se connectait avec la nature. Un hommage aussi est rendu à notre célèbre chanteuse, Mme Micheline Virahsawmy qui avait reporté le Radio France Internationale avec son très célèbre "Garson premie lo,tifi deziem lo".
View artwork1981...et la vie continue
Lot ale, lot vini... Lot vini, lot ale..Enndirsi, lot dirsa....Tournkivir, virkitourn To bone blan, so bone osiblan..Lane ale, lane viniNoufatigemanzsatini 60 par si, zero par la 60 par la, zero par si..Tanbour bate, eleksiongagne..Tanbour bate, lezottombe Tanbour bate, tir son dandrom..RouzblezonnverFertourbiyondan lamer Dan molatet, kidanse ? ziskouler..Leres rant danzoreydrwat, Sorti par zoreygos Parolviniparol ale...Bred sonz res dignLeponzkasiet Trin-trinmorisien...So tibaja, so tipinpin...So tilakaz, so tizanfan Larou tourney , Lavikontinie
View artwork1982Nouvo Vizion
In 1983 Sir Anerood Jugnauth founded the Militant Socialist Movement(MSM). The movement comply with the philosophies of socialism and political democracy that supports economic and social interventions to promote social justice. The Militant Socialist Movement emerged in 1983 out of the split between the leaders of the two main parties comprising the coalition government - the MMM founder Paul Bérenger and the PartiSocialisteMauricien (PSM) leader, Harish Boodhoo.The yearalso marked the general elections that were held in Mauritius. The result was in favour of MSM who won 32 seats that allowed Sir AneroodJugnauth to continue as Prime Minister.My work lays emphasis on the creation of the MSM as Sir AneroodJugnauth being the most popular personality and leader of the country in that year and the start of the economic boom.
View artwork198344
1984. How ironic, or Orwellian should we say, that it was in this year that the government decided to vote the Newspaper and Periodicals (Amendment) Bill in a desperate bid to shut down media criticism. 44 journalists rebelled and protested in front of the Government House.
View artwork1984The end of an era
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam died on the 15th December 1985. He was a leader in the Mauritian independence movement and served as the first Chief Minister and Prime Minister of Mauritius. As the leader of the Labour Party, Sir Seewoosagur fought for the rights of labourers and led Mauritius to independence in 1968. Wood and cloth are the elements which accompany Hindus from their birth to their death. They are used as symbols to link Man to the powers of the world beyond. Wood is vital for the ritual fire and white cloth to wrap the body in. Human body is made of five essential elements (air, water, earth, fire and aether) and upon death the body dissolves into these five elements of nature. After cremation the human spirit shifts between physical bodies – earth to air.
View artwork1985Post
History…..is always great memories from which new generations learn about what had happened in the past….talking about history and Mauritius…..the year 1986….marked two great events….where the airport was renamed in honour of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. Plaisance airport was founded formilitary purposes by Britain's Royal Air Force in 1941 and commercial flights began only in 1946. A new terminal was built in the late sixties and the airport grew with the national airline where Air Mauritiuswaslaunched in 1967. Secondly…The First Highway Project, the A1 road from Port Louis to St Jean; the A10 road from Phoenix to Curepipe; A5: Port Louis-Mount Road; B11: Arsenal-Fond du Sac Road; and B27: Quartier Militaire - Bel Air Road were all upgraded to a seven-metre wide road with shoulders and footpaths as appropriate. Works which started in January 1986 were completed in December 1988. The motorway through Port-Louis which linked motorways M1 in the South and M2 in the North was completed in April 1989. All started in 1986…. My work portraits all the above mentioned realities, drawn in a form of a commemorative stamp which is normally used to honour special events.
View artwork1986Totem 2018 : Par-del La Mort
Une création suscitée par deux événements marquants de 1987 : (a) Le crash du Boeing 747 Helderberg de la SAA au large de Maurice en fin de cette année. Bilan : 169 morts, dont 2 Mauriciens. Si le mystère reste entier, le bruit aura couru que l’avion, qui reliait Taiwan à l’Afrique du Sud via Plaisance aurait transporté des produits explosifs. Révélation récente: les boîtes noires auraient été scandaleusement manipulées. Mais, au nom de quoi ! (b) La dernière exécution d’un condamné a mort. Si la suspension de la peine capitale devenait définitive, plus jamais aucun maillet ne la ponctuera. Signer dans le temps la trace intemporelle du temps - par l’esthétique de l’altération. Un appel aux traces du temps par l’eau, l’encre, des lettres avariées d’imprimerie surannée, un maillet datant d’un demi siècle… ; et aux traces de la vie : rayures et autres perforations. Le jeu de l’appropriation de l’altération des diverses fibres du bois est souligné par l’apport de textures personnelles, d’où surgissent signes et symboles.
View artwork1987Le Voyage Interieure / Mgr Jean Margeot
Mgr Margéot fut le premier évêquemauricien a êtrenommé cardinal au Vatican, a Rome le 28 Juin 1988. Jean Paul II éleva Mgr Margeot à la dignité cardinalice et lui a conféré le titre de St-Gabriel-Archangeall’AcquaTraversa Au service de l’amour….la foi…l’humilité…dédication...la compassion...des mots trop simples pour decrire cet homme grand, simple et très respecté. Mgr Jean Margéot a été le guide pour beaucoup de ses concitoyens vers la foi et la spiritualité.
View artwork1988Untitled
Camp-Firinga. Le nom de cette cité est un rappel des ravages et du désespoir qu’a laissé sur son passage le cyclone du même nom en 1989. Belles falaises qui resistent aux assauts des grosses vagues pendant les cyclones, vous nous rappelez que la force, c’est vous et non pas les vagues qui s’écrasent contre vous
View artwork1989L'exploitation des mineurs
Avec le processus d'insdustrialisation rapide des exportations c'est à dire 'La Zone Franche', beaucoup des mauriciens travaillaient dans les usines d'où l'exploitations étaient courant surtout avec "salaire de misière". Alors beaucoup de parents touchaient par la pauvreté privaient leurs enfants de l'éducation et les forcer à aller travailler dans les usines, les atéliers du coins de rues, le marché, magasin et les employeurs ingrats profitaient et les exploitaient. Même si la loi de Maurice interdit le travail et que le gouvernment avait renforcé le cadre juridique de combattre 'emploi des mineurs', la situation était inquiétante et existaient bel et bien. L'argent corrompt les hommes et la pauvreté ne doit pas être utilisée comme excuse pour le travail des enfants. L'éducation d'un enfant doit être achevée car cela vaut mieux qu'un tas d'argent. L'enfant doit être de toute exploitation économique et de tout emploi qui pourrait s'avérer risquant ou entraver son éducation, son developpement et l'épanouissement mental, social et morale. L'exploitation des mineurs contribue-t-il à l'augmentation de la richesse?
View artwork1990Identity
The constitution was amended to change Mauritius to a republic within the British Commonwealth in December 1991. On March 12, 1992, the Republic of Mauritius was proclaimed. Trochetia Boutoniana (Boucle d'Oreille) was declared the National Flower on that day. Since then we got our identity…freedom to live and let live...an identity that not only is an embodiment of peace, love, unity and harmony but also an emblem of National Birth of who we are...”We are a united nation living our identity with pride worldwide”
View artwork1991Joy & sorrow
Joy- In 1968, Mauritius got its independence. Twenty four years later, the country became a republic. This apotheosis event came after decades of struggle for freedom, democracy, dignity, peace, brotherhood and tolerance for the nation. The traditional sega dance stands as a symbolic mode of expression for happiness- unity in diversity. The four colours of our flag stand side by side, where as the souls of the extinct dodos, from Mare aux songes are part and parcel of the celebration. The signs of black human shapes dancing in ochre bands represent the slaves rejoicing- they have been fighting for their freedom and dignity centuries ago. Sorrow- The other reason why painting is based on the theme “Sega” is to pay tribute to “Ti-frer”- The King of the Mauritian sega. He was born in Quartier Militaire on 29th April 1900 and passed away in 1992, while all Mauritians were celebrating the Republican access of the island. During his life-time he dedicated himself to this oral expression. He sang especially for the poor, entertaining them with a typical style with his “ravanne” and ”triangle”. A simple and sincere man, who passed away in misery. A real artist. Gone but still alive in the Mauritian heart.
View artwork1992Maurice Retrospection
The testimony of a development process ‘Maurice retrospection’ gives a glimpse of key issues which occurred in Mauritius. Like spiders web which is very fragile unwinding, construction, deconstruction and reconstruction of the nation building. Well-structured explosion of radial shapes and forms which are quite visible at times and at the other it gets blurred in the maze of time and space. Events, dates, names among others subjects matters focuses on building blocks laying foundation to create a better future a dream a reality which is gift wrapped in illusion and hope . Let us preserve the good and build on it for a better future.
View artwork1993Hollanda
“Hollanda” a cyclone which did affect Mauritius in 1994 depicts the chaos. It impacted on all Mauritians in times of stress, of unusual social disturbances and uncertainties. The human mind became blind to reason and logic thus created the TOUNI MINUIT. My painting is a glimpse of what marked each and every Mauritians in 1994.
View artwork1994The Unexpected!
' Always expect the unexpected ' In 1995, Sir Aneerood Jugnauth, P.M. of Mauritius has this bitter experience, he lost power after 13 years of continuous rule. The PTR/MMM alliance won every seat during the national legislative general election to a 60-0. During his 13 years in power, SAJ and his team had transformed Mauritius into a successful country in many aspects. They turned the monocrop economy based on sugar export into an export - oriented development. They emphasized modernization and diversification into a situation of full employment and economic growth,focused on technology, human capital formation and the restructuring of the capital base. This was coupled by a stable political environment and development of export - oriented manufacturing including tourism and offshore facilities. This team had managed to fight poverty to a large extent whereby there was a remarkable use of electric and electronic equipments for domestic purposes. SAJ had won the title ' father of Mauritian miracle ' In spite of this, the people chose to change the regime. He was opposed by a 'new face', Navin Chandra Ramgoolam who inherited all the fame of his father, Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam and was supported by Paul Remond Berenger, a strong political figure. There was a strong electorate's desire for change after several years of rule by same faces. Thus we had the Unexpected results.
View artwork1995Knight by the sea
4 minutes The memory of great builders of our nation is kept alive through archival materials. Their achievements and personalities are documented and reported so that their legacy is passed down throughout generations. The emblematic figure of Sir Gaëtan Duval riding his horse by the sea is one of the strong images that remain in Mauritian memory and it has been a strong inspiration for the audio piece, “Knight by the sea”. Through our sense of listening, it invites the listener to imagine a landscape which was familiar to him and it offers a short escape to somewhere he appears in all his splendour, in harmony with nature. With calm confidence, the rider cuts through the air, forging ahead, tackling every obstacle with determination.
View artwork1996JALSA 1997
My installation explores the parallel-yet often contradictory-existence of traditional beliefs and historical ideas with contemporary events and evolving lifestyles. The luminous multicoloured led lights artwork recalls the luridly unnatural lighting of a disco vibe. The translucency of the plastic and the black female silhouettes convey a feeling of mystery......partially revealed. My work refers both to exploitation of female race since history till today. Such events continue and will continue to be a spectacle for male viewer.
View artwork1997zooxanthellae
The most severe and large scale - bleaching event happened in 1998 . In Mauritius , three surveys were conducted to indicate the existence of Acropora and non – Acropora species . At le bouchon , the coral were bleached at about 38.6 % . Notably, the cause of these bleaching episodes were due to natural calamities. Hence , the bleaching of corals happens due to a loss of zooxanthellae or photosynthetic pigments. During February and March, the surveys were conducted at Flic en Flac, Bamboos virieux, Albion, Trou aux Biches and Anse la Raie. My series of artwork are inspired from these events to show my artistic approach to the unbleached corals with normal coloration fading to the the disintegration of pigments due to the existence of whitened tissue . These 20 replicates determine the process undergone by each type of coral. Hence , I have experiment to show the bleaching disturbance and the degree to which it affects the reefs of Mauritius.
View artwork1998Chaos
The year 1999 is represented by the chaotic condition of our island during the riots caused due to the death of Kaya. Afterwards there was also a major incident in portlouis whereby the L'Amicale was burnt down. The violence in Mauritius was rising and major decisions were taken into consideration concerning law and order so as to bring some stability and harmony.Nevertheless the marking incidents created a fear among the population who still remember it as a nightmare showing the dark side of our island in those years.
View artwork1999Y 2K- Millenium Clock
The advent of “Y2K” - year two thousand there was a millennium madness and the new millennium marked out multiple key events in Mauritius. The Millennium tower was constructed at Wooton in Curepipe. The Millennium Summit - In the early month of the year 2000, Mauritius secured a seat on the United Nations Organizations Security Council for the first time. In September 2000 Sir Aneerood Jugnauth, the MSM Leader acceded prime minister ship again with a mandate to boost the economy. In November 2000, the London High Court in ruled in favour of the inhabitants of the Chagos archipelago who were unlawfully exiled from their homes in 1966. My artwork denotes the giant millennium clock which depicts the transition from the ancient era to the new millennia. The use of roman letters in the huge clock with the hour hand and the minute hand on XII depicts the end and at the same time the beginning of a new time, a new day, a new century, a new millennia, another new step towards unexplained, uncalculated uncertainty or perhaps redemption, rejuvenation....
View artwork2000Nothing that is whole, speaks of past
Within the midst of modernization lurks a yearning to connect to nature. With the advent of modernization and urbanization, architecture has been able to take one giant leap in realization of structure that once seemed to dwell only in fantasies. These buildings have become iconic by striking a permanent pose, their presence reflects the emblem of timeless fashion. This elegance cannot be described in words, it goes beyond just the aesthetic covers of buildings. Within such timeless buildings lies a structure giving its aesthetic of an extended life and imparting a visual identity to the building. Beauty, in architecture, lies in the performance and behavior of building’s structure and façade elements as a component. Hence, the structural form should have an aesthetic appeal while being simultaneously driven by engineering considerations.
View artwork2001SIGN OR RESIGN
Changing a mature organization can be daunting or there can be a turmoil. But the outcome is well worth the effort. When bringing in change one should not be a victim of one’s emotions. A better evaluation can be obtained . “Have i taken te right step? “What have i observed? “What urged me to take such a decision? One should be strong, happy and courageous to be in the changes. The above questions may be asked from time to time. The answer will be the same if i am not scared of taking action. Do a postgame analysis? This may occur soon after taking a proper decision. One more thing is that one should be autonomous and not control by external forces. A feeling of belonging is very important and one shows one’s own identity when one is without the control of others. Everybody is born with a degree of creativity and one should make use of it for any judgement. Such ideas may spark a creative thought. The decision-making process begins when one identifies the real problem. Hence he took the right decision - to quit.
View artwork2002Ethnic handover
In 2003, the BBC World News headlines 'Ethnic Handover In Mauritius' and a second article titled 'Mauritius Ethnic Power Transfer ' were a blatant affirmation of what remains highly subdued locally as a political manoeuvre: to stay in power at any cost. My work is a satirical take on the notion of scrambling to power, using communalism as leverage in an ever growing ideal of achieving true Mauritianism... an ideal that is ever so humble in thought yet difficult to achieve in our increasing capitalist island.
View artwork2003Untitled
Just after Christmas and just before the End of Year celebrations, an earthquake was followed by a tsunami in the Northern Indian Ocean. Between 275,000 and 300,000 people died, one of the deadliest natural calamities in living memory. Even if this event was completely unpredictable, it had several lessons for the human species in this time of the Anthropocene: nature cannot be taken for granted; our petty obsessions with development and progress, at the expense of elementary principles of precaution can be costly.
View artwork2004Swirl of a nation
2005…….The South east coast of Mauritius was hit by severe tropical storm Hennie at a distance of 60km between 22 - 24th March hence bringing a swirling tendency on the nation who at the same time was awaiting for a political reversal…..4thJulythe suspense ended with the victory of “Alliance Sociale”consisting of Labour Party, PartiMauricien Xavier-Luc Duval, Les verts Fraternels, MouvementRepublicain and Mouvement Militant SocialisteMauricien over “Alliance MSM-MMM (Mouvement Militant Mauricien and MouvementSocialiste Militant). Alliance Sociale got 38 seats while Alliance MSM-MMM obtained 22. This year was also marked by the announcement of the wireless internet coverage where….Mauritius was to become the first big “Hot Spot” country and world’s first nation with coast-to-coast wireless internet coverage in the coming days thus my work comprisesa medley of all these facts.
View artwork2005Anamnesis
Different events of the year 2006, now part of our collective memory are discussed in this work. In the foreground, I use pastel technique to represent the stairs of the Aapravasi Ghat which was inscribed as international monument on the UNESCO World Heritage List during that year. Chagossians are shown ashore paying tribute to their ancestors on their native land painted in acrylic. Finally, I use collage technique in the background to remind us of the Chikungunya outbreak on the island, and the athletes who represented our country in Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games.
View artwork2006@ Cross-Roads
At different moments in time, Mauritius found itself at cross-roads, and prompt decisions had to be taken to choose the most appropriate though not the safest way that will ensure progress. In 2007, the Tertiary Education Commission devised a strategic plan (2007-2011) with the mission ‘to position Mauritius in the region as a world-class Knowledge Hub and as the gateway for post-secondary education’. The strategy chosen was the ‘internationalisation of tertiary education’, the latter being the main pillar of the ‘Knowledge Hub’. The implications of internationalising the tertiary education system and the related challenges proved to be numerous wheresome of them are even impossible to over-come;The final picture being that every year both public and private educational institutions in Mauritius arein the first place struggling among themselves for greater intakes, and against higher education enrolment decline due to global competitiveness.
View artwork2007Untitled
"AT FIRST THEY WILL ASK WHY YOU'RE DOING IT. LATER THEY'LL ASK HOW YOU DID IT."
View artwork2008Racines
29 mai 2009. Quatre-Bornes Lors d’une séance d’initiation à la photographie dans une maternelle (Le Centre d’Education Pré-scolaire), les enfants étaient debout sur ces racines en l’air lorsque je les invitais à aller chercher dans leur cour d ‘école des objets, des bouts de bois ou des feuilles qui pourraient leur inspirer des prises photographiques. Soudain je me rends compte qu’ils avaient laissé derrière eux ces racines qui illustraient parfaitement, tel un pareidoliame, des mains à la recherche de quelque chose! J’en fis une photo sur pellicule argentique. Cette même année ces enfants exposaient dans la galerie d’ Allied Motors.
View artwork20092010 BLOK 104
010 BLOK 104 is inspired from the struggle by the movement Resistans ek Alternativ since decades regarding adoption of the appellation morisyen ( Mauritian) with respect to voting. Up till now a voter has to declare his/ her ethnic membership to be able to vote. The Best Loser System ( BLS) has been contested at different points in history but more vehemently by the group called Resistans ek Alternativ. At the general election of 2010, they asked citizens to register themselves as candidates without giving their ethnic group and 104 candidates did so—the so-called “Blok 104.” As expected, their candidacies were not accepted and they took the case to court. The Privy Council ruled that it was for the Mauritian government to decide accordingly… My Artwork is an interpretation of the action initiated by Resistans ek Alternativ in 2010 through the “ Blok 104” petition.
View artwork2010Ene zur dan ene pei
Pu mwa, pu twa, pu li Sak zur ki passe Nu pa pu kapav effasé Zordi mo zur Dimé to zur Apré dimé nu zur Nu pé vivre tu lé zur...ene nuvo zur Lané alé....lané vini Viré ...deviré tou fini par resamblé
View artwork2011Blow the man down
Pirates play a vital role in the history of Mauritius in the 17th and 18th Century and today they have reappeared. Mauritius has become a key player in the international fight to curb the wave of piracy that was having a negative impact on the island’s security, fishing, tourism as well as menacing global shipping in the Indian Ocean. In June 2012, Mauritius reached a deal with the UK to allow suspected pirates caught by Royal Navy to be transferred to Mauritius for prosecution. My artwork, “Blow the man down” is a command meaning to destroythose ruthless criminals and robbers. Conceived in a metal assemblage, a map of Mauritius and a pirate gun is assembled to remind us about the atrocities of piracy in our historical memoir.
View artwork2012A day at the waterfront
2013 was a national trauma year. The flash floods and their results - a stark reminder of how fragile we are. Lives were lost and sorrow still inhabits the hearts of many of my countrymen. I can never know what they feel; I can only imagine. The loss of dear ones gone too soon... The country, as a whole, was hurt. And healing is a long way off. My work is a look back at this tragic event and a plea to cherish life 'cause life can sometimes be too short.
View artwork2013Mauritius 2014
A game of Chess is a two-player game wherein each of the two players moves alternately and strategically to win the game by checkmate. This game is a metaphor that political analysts very often make use of to depict the state of world affairs. To be at the helm of power politicians carefully devise their plans and use all sorts of stratagems similar to the moves they would make when engaged in a game of chess. Their most recent "retrouvaille" is "Social Media". A game of chess having Social media as one of the opponent is no less than to a “you-against-the-rest-of-the- world” contest. Through this painting I have tried to depict the power of social media which was indeed a very determining factor in the December 2014 general election.
View artwork2014banne politilichien
2015 ène 35 vine numéro 1 risé poussé, reussi faire calcule communale alala, femme apolitique chef d'état ala éna pas content la zotte pé rode casse dans tas pé croire réservé juste pour banne politicien en retrait dicté par banne politilichien qui faire li pas faire coumment nous nous faire li dire li pas oulé vine base à fleure ala zomme croire zotte qui ti vase a fleure qui malheure tonne faire zotte coummence faire toi trouve zeclaire acause tonne prend place ène politicien to ti bizin pas badinner ek caca diboute au lieu mettre toi lors raille faire toi deraillé pour to tombe dans au bout du monde This text is not in KM
View artwork2015Saken so Bout
Since our independence, all the successive ruling parties have been soaked in corruption and favoritism. From petty cases involving officials in the 70s and 80s, the virus quickly spread to the top, contaminating those who govern us. We witnessed corruption, nepotism and cronyism at its peak in 2016. However, this phenomenon is also very present in private spheres but very rarely commented. My work primarily questions the type of society we would like to live in. Corruption in all its forms creates an unjust society and generates a climate of suspicion and mistrust between individuals. By all means, we must fight to eradicate these malpractices. The giant "Matryoshka" figurines and the tiny "Monopoly game" houses and hotels are open to multiple interpretations. They are deliberately put in opposition to express the insatiable appetite of those in power. Newspapers covering the table denotes our awareness of only what is reported, but a lot of shady business continues to unfold under the table.
View artwork2016Action : Retro
Francis Bacon has said that “ The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery”. Thinking of the events of 2017, I let myself go into and through the year..., thinking of my country, the past moments that occurred, the emotions we all went through. Good and bad moments are part of us and they help us as well as our motherland to grow up. I want to express my feelings through my canvas so that the spectator can read the messages written there, because this work has a life of its own and we should observe around us and not only see things as they are. The objects I used in this installation has a vocabulary of sensibility , exploring myself and my mind to make the moments alive again in the memory lane. Long live Mauritius !!
View artwork2017