Art Inside

                                                                                                                               by Jjuliaa Gangwani

Art has the unique power to transcend borders and this is beautifully exemplified by Anita Gopaul, the spouse of the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to India. The Blue Moon had the privilege of speaking with Mrs. Gopaul for our special edition of Women in Diplomacy and Business, in the section "ART INSIDE." Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies, Anita Gopaul is an emerging artist who has been working with both acrylics and oil since 2017. As she travels with her husband, she expresses her views and experiences through her art, capturing the beauty of her homeland and beyond on canvas with a striking sense of realism. A self-taught artist, she is passionate about educating and inspiring others through her work. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Ms. Gopaul is a published author of four books, a skilled pianist, and a qualified member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Can you share with us your journey as an artist? When did you first discover your passion for Art?

Firstly, before I answer your question I would like to thank you for this wonderful opportunity to connect with your readers and share my story. My journey as an artist started when my husband and I were sent on our first diplomatic posting to Pretoria, South Africa approximately eight years ago. It was there that I decided to explore my interest in art. It was always something I wished I could have pursued before but was unable to because of work commitments and other life obligations. I remember the first time I held a paintbrush and painted my first piece. There was an immediate connection and it was an amazing feeling.  Over the years that passion for art never changed but actually grew and I realised that it wasn’t just in the final result but also in the process. For me personally, the process of painting is both stress relieving and therapeutic. It’s a wonderful feeling to create something beautiful that I could appreciate and share with others. In 2020 we were posted to India where I continue to explore different painting styles and mediums. Over the years, I’ve produced many pieces using both acrylic and oil mediums. I am delighted to say that I have participated in numerous exhibitions in both South Africa and India.

How has living in Trinidad and Tobago influenced your art? Are there elements of your home country that you incorporate into your work?

Like most diplomats, living in different countries is an amazing and life changing experience. Each country has a beauty that is unique and phenomenal. As a diplomat, you get the chance to fully immerse yourself in the different cultures, people, places, food and traditions of that particular country. Most artists tend to capture these differences and distinctions in their artwork and see it blossom to life on canvas. For example, in my journey from Africa to India I’ve experienced the beautiful red and orange hues of an African sunset to the majestic blues of the Himalayas. While I admired the beauty of these countries with which I was now surrounded, it also made me appreciate more of my homeland. Trinidad and Tobago has greatly influenced my art as I use it as my way of capturing and preserving my country. As a result, most of my artwork tends to depict some aspects of Trinidad and Tobago. I’ve done paintings that included the Scarlet Ibis which is the national bird of Trinidad, the limbo dance which originated in our twin island of Tobago, and buildings of historical importance like Stollmeyers Castle and Temple in The Sea among others. 

As the wife of the High Commissioner, how do you balance your diplomatic responsibilities with your artistic pursuits? Do you find that one influences the other?

My pursuit of art initially stemmed from my passion and interest and was undertaken for my personal growth and development. It was a personal decision that did not connect in any way to my position as the spouse of a High Commissioner or my diplomatic responsibilities. However during my journey I’ve realised that a relation does exist between both the diplomatic and the artistic world. A large part of diplomacy is about creating and maintaining relations. I’ve found that art helps to facilitate and build connections between different cultures. My artistic pursuits have never hindered my diplomatic responsibilities but in fact is actually an avenue which I’ve used to aid in achieving this objective.  

As a woman in the art world, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them? What advice would you give to other women who are pursuing a career in Art?

As with almost every career in the world challenges are always present. Healthy challenges I believe are natural and necessary as this is what makes us grow and learn and become better at what we do. Some challenges, however are not natural and being a woman in the world of art comes with a few. While I have not personally faced discrimination within the art fraternity I am aware that it is an issue that many other female artists face. They are not being adequately recognised and awarded based simply on the fact that they are women. I think this mindset has changed a lot and is less prevalent nowadays from let’s say a decade ago, as many governments and international groups have been campaigning the issue of gender bias and discrimination. We have come a long way in eliminating this and the increased awareness of these issues has begun to show as we are seeing positive results where recognition is given based on talent and merit and not gender.  My advice to women, who may be interested in art as a career, is to not let these challenges discourage you in following your dream. Believe in yourself, persevere and let your talent shine through. 

Could you tell us about the piece that would be featured in our “Art Inside” section? What inspired it, and what do you hope viewers will take away from it?

This 30 x 40 piece is entitled “Lord Rama’s Welcome” and is done in acrylics. It features the Parliament building of Trinidad and Tobago also known as the Red House which was built in 1907. My inspiration stemmed from my desire to create one artwork which infused both the culture of Trinidad and Tobago and India showing the impact of one on the other. Unlike my other pieces which showcase Trinidad and Tobago I wanted to also incorporate aspects of India’s influence on our culture. For those of you who may not know, India and Trinidad share a very deep history which began in 1845 with Indians arriving in Trinidad to work in the sugar cane plantations as indentured labourers. After the Indian indenture period ended in 1917, the Indians remained in Trinidad thereby greatly influencing the cultural landscape of our country. In the year 1966 the government declared Diwali a public holiday and this piece shows our red house beautifully being lit with clay lamps that also welcomed Lord Ram to Ayodha. I hope that this piece would educate viewers as to the historical, cultural and diplomatic linkages between our countries.  

How do you see Art playing a role in cultural exchange and diplomacy? Can you share any experiences where your art has opened doors for diplomatic or business opportunities?

There are many different aspects in which diplomatic ties can be built between countries. Countries connect through similarities in sport, culture, business, education and other shared interests and also through the differences which help us to grow and learn. I believe that art plays an important role in that cultural exchange and expressions of countries. The various art forms, on a much larger scale, be it fine art, dance or music all brilliantly showcases the history, customs, culture and mindset of a people. We can learn a tremendous amount from art which is a vital tool in the world of diplomacy. 

Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions that our readers should look out for?

As you would be aware, India is currently celebrating the year of Lord Rama and an international exhibition is going to be held by ICCR which will display artworks that depicts the impact of Lord Ram or the Ramayana on different countries of the world. Although the final date has not yet been released, this exhibition will be held in the coming months and one of my pieces will be on display. The piece entitled “Lord Rama’s Welcome” is an acrylic painting of the Parliament building of Trinidad and Tobago also known as the Red house with clay lamps (deyas) leading the way to the building. In the year 1966 it was decided by Parliament to declare Divali a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago. As you would know, Divali is the festival of lights which welcomes Lord Ram back to Ayodha. It is an honour for me to display this particular piece as it shows the almagamation of both countries, Trinidad and Tobago and India.

Finally, is there any message you would like to convey to our readers, particularly those interested in art and diplomacy?

The one message I would like to leave with your readers is simply to find your passion. Whether it is in art or diplomacy or totally unrelated, once you have the passion and follow through with it you would be amazed at what you could accomplish. It is the passion that drives you to go that one step further and do what would otherwise seem impossible. It is the passion that makes you put out the extra effort without even realising it and it is the passion that makes the process an enjoyable journey. 

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