CONCEPT: Retrospective

It cannot be denied that development is bound to take place. Being carried forward with the pace of time and the new world of technology, one tends to forget certain main icons of our island’s ancient times. Especially the ancient jobs which used to form part of our Mauritian culture are gradually fading away. The question that arises is whether the jobs which have been along with Mauritius during these 53 years of independence will last longer? Thus, I am working on the theme of ‘ Retrospective’ whereby I have depicted it through my painting, sculpture and photography each bearing the title of ‘Retro’, ‘I am a workmanship’ and ‘ Reminiscence’ respectively. The theme retrospective conveys the message of looking back to the last events and situations and relating to the works of the past that were produced. Thus my aim is to preserve those works which are native and traditional in Mauritius.

It is to be noted that nowadays everything is sophisticated and technology is ruling over. Eventually no youngsters will even be interested in doing these jobs to earn their living. Therefore if the work is not carried forward by an apprentice or someone inheriting the job, then with the pace of time it will soon become extinct.

Hence in order to promote the job, valorize and preserve it; why not include them in the decorative and tourism sectors. Youngsters can be encouraged to start business using the tins and give it a new shape with the new generation’s ideas. By trying to fit the objects into the decorative sectors that are the interior decorators and even the ‘plasticien’ can turn them into magical stuffs. Indeed even the watering can has already become one of the antique pieces in Mauritius. For instance, even Mr Luchoomun the Mauritian artist used them in one of his expositions.

These jobs are undoubtedly a medium in portraying the concept of while making our country beautiful with technology we should not leave behind the very first jewels of the country that is the native qualities which it already inherited. Rather it should be made more conceptual and profitable by giving new looks, reinventing creative objects and including the new ideas of the younger generations which can be promoted in the tourism sector as well as in the crafts markets. It is to be taken into consideration that in the colleges the youngsters are being given the chance to create and innovate. Almost every year some private sectors implement competitions; for instance, the ‘Innnoved projects’ are inducted yearly where they get their chance to bring out their creative ideas. It also promotes the students in using the ancient stuffs especially trash and other scrap materials in creating new objects.

Eventually the Government is emphasizing a lot in making the country ‘Maurice ile Durable’. Coupled to this statement, the plastic bags are now banned. Thus people will be more encouraged in making use of renewable stuffs for a green world. Therefore coming back to my aim of preserving the jobs which are about to fade as a medium, it is an undeniable fact that the basket makers with vacoas leaves are one among them where by starting to use the vacoas baskets again instead of plastic bags it will not only be beneficial for the country but also improving the job status and preventing it to be in the verge of extinction. As government has already banned the plastic bags, therefore it will a new opportunity for those who were already in the craft business to earn a living again and also to implement the youngsters’ ideas in this job sector. They will invest themselves in not only promoting their business but also in making a green island. This job also is congruent with that of the cobbler.

A cobbler’s work is to repair shoes. However do we people get our shoes repaired nowadays? It is a very rare case to repair the shoes as to buy a new one would be the easiest choice. Indeed with time there are many development and facilities which can be one of the reasons due to which the cobbler’s job is fading out. Therefore, time factor plays an important role as the job of the tinsmith and the tin have got the same fate as they both are being victim of time just as the job is disappearing; with time the tin also will corrode and get rusted and finally forming part of the past.

Through my artworks, I want to pass on the message that although machines have been created to reduce human efforts, however people earning their living through handy jobs are highly appreciated and honoured. One should focus on the preservation of our native jobs which forms part of the originality of our country. In terms of job we have the Tinsmiths, the baskets makers- craftsman and the cobblers among the others whose job are in the verge of extinction. Long ago, it was very likely to see the tinsmiths in every corner of the villages and especially in the streets of Port Louis. It was considered among one of the native jobs in Mauritius where people would earn their living with it. But do we see them now? If ever we see them also, are they many in number? The question that arises most importantly is; do people nowadays even use their products that are the candle holder, the watering cans, the petrol lamps, liquid tanks among the others?