He lives in Germany and his works have been exhibited in the United States, Mexico, and England. And despite where he has been and where he lives, every year Pen Cayetano returns to Belize for the Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations. This year is no different and as usual Cayetano has returned with a whole new offering. This year its "Gumbay" and the exhibition was opened last night at the House of Culture. Here are some highlights.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Last night Culture Minister Mark Espat joined the legendary Pen Cayetano n cutting the ribbon to “Gombay night.” Espat says it’s the exhibition of works from a man whose contribution to the Garifuna culture through music and art makes him a Belizean patriot.
Hon. Mark Espat, Minister of Culture
“At age 50 Pen has earned the title of Belizean patriot. Pen’s early work brought Garifuna culture to the forefront of Belizean art at a time when Belize’s struggle for independence was achieved. These artworks and his vibrant music helped to highlight the diversity of our culture but especially Garifuna Belizeans as an integral part of this movement. It has also helped to define and preserve the Garifuna culture.”
But the man who is credited with starting Punta rock music and has become a master artist says it wasn’t always being an artist.
Pen Cayetano,
“Way back in Dangriga they used to call artists lazy. ‘Boy why don’t you go work,’ they used to say. So as time goes by I got to understand this was a place where people were working on Mahogany and didn’t have any time to creative arts at all. So I said I didn’t want to be lazy again I am going to do some work. So I started to chop some banana and I chopped some cane in the north. So when I was chopping the cane in Corozal I said this is no joke so it is better I be lazy because then I won’t tear my shirt and my pants won’t burst. So I said I better be lazy and I went back to my music and my painting.”
And that he did – his latest works are on the walls of the House of Culture.
There are 29 pieces on display which are all on sale. The exhibition runs through to November 26th.