Exactly two weeks ago sculptor Steven Okeke dramatically unveiled his bronze bust of Phillip Goldson at Market Square in Belize City. It was released amidst controversy because the City Council says Okeke didn’t apply for the proper permit to place the bust at Market Square. But no attempts were made to remove it and - in fact - later that week - Okeke and Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya agreed on national television that the bust would be permanently placed at the Palotti roundabout.
That should have been the end of it, but, as we’ve found out by following this bust since 2004, with Stephen Okeke, it ain’t over til it’s over…and it’s never over. And tonight the story is that like the petulant child who packs up his marbles and takes them home because he’s losing the game, Okeke today took down his bust and carted it back to his workshop. He may have written a book on Belizean politics but he says that he got played when he just needed to get paid.
Keith Swift Reporting,
For a brief moment this afternoon – the buzzing traffic in downtown Belize City paused and primary school children gawked as sculptor Steven Okeke wrapped up his bust of super patriot Phillip Goldson. The one ton bronze bust was lifted by a crane from off the street and placed onto this trailer for a journey home.
Stephen Okeke, Sculptor
“We are taking the sculpture back to the storeroom because it is still
private property. It is a work of art. I just had an exhibition for ten days. That is the permission I got and the ten days has expired so I am taking it back like every other sculptural exhibition. When the exhibition is over, the artist takes the work back home.”
Keith Swift,
You promised on national television that you had agreed to put it at the Palotti Roundabout so what has changed?
Stephen Okeke,
“No, no. I made it clear that I had made suggestions of where I would have wanted it to be placed permanently but the municipal government has the last say and Belizean people in consultation have the last say. However I also made it clear that you can’t be saying where to put something you have not procured. It is still my private property. Nobody has paid for it. I had it on exhibition.”
Keith Swift,
So what are you going to do with it?
Stephen Okeke,
“Like every work of art, I will keep it at home.”
Okeke says he doesn’t think the public spectacle of installing and then removing the bust is disrespectful. He blames the UDP for the politicizing what he says was simply a work of art.
Stephen Okeke,
“If I had known that it would have been dragged along for this many years, I would have not started doing this sculpture at all. Secondly, if I had known that the UDP would have so patronize or politicize it, I would have been too embarrassed to bring it to exhibition. However this is just a work of art. I have the right to represent anybody in art – whether it is George Bush, Prime Minister Musa, Dean Barrow – I have the right to represent anybody in the art. It is not insult, it is actually the attitude of the Belizean people that is insulting the memory of Phillip Goldson. It is the attitude of the Opposition that is insulting the memory of Phillip Goldson, not the artist who rendered the work of art. I am happy it has come this far and I am also happy for the opportunity people have had to see it. It was my plan, it was my intention, it was my projection…”
And it’s his bust - which is why he took home this afternoon.
Like any of Okeke’s works you can own this one for a price. He says that anyone who writes a check for $80,000 can get the bust. That is how much he says he spent on it. Until that is done, the bust will be at Okeke’s workshop on the Northern Highway gathering dust, no doubt with a knitted brow.
