Holly Gayadeen
Born in 1930, Holly Gayadeen received his early education in both Tunapuna and Port of Spain. During those formative years, he demonstrated his interest in painting and drawing and participated in many art and craft competitions for both primary and secondary schools.In 1949, having completed his secondary education, he was appointed a primary school teacher, and six years later, gained selection for professional training at the Government Teachers' College. During the two-year course of studies, he excelled in the philosophy, principles and practice of education as well as in the visual arts and crafts. During the final year of studies, he assisted the then lecturer in art education by conducting several sessions at the advanced level.
Having gained the necessary experience as a trained and qualified teacher at the primary school level within the period of four years, he was promoted to the post of Art Officer in the then Ministry of Education and Culture, Division of Culture which had as its main focus, the development of art at all levels of the national community, essentially through the education system as well as by the conduct of adult classes and exhibitions.
From 1960 to 1962, Gayadeen was awarded a Commonwealth Bursary to pursue studies in teacher training at the University of Bristol, England, in the Institute of Education and also at the Royal West of England College of Art, where he had further exposure in the philosophy and methodology of art education as well as advanced practical techniques in the visual and graphic arts, and was awarded the certificate in Teacher Training and also the Diploma in the Fine Arts. He also found time to visit other European Centres of Art and Culture, Museums, Art Galleries, and also enjoyed a short stay in Montmartre, the Latin Quarter and Artists' Colony - Paris.
Having returned to Trinidad, he continued to serve in the Division of Culture with greater emphasis on the educational aspect of the visual arts. His assignments took into consideration, actual teaching at the four Teachers Colleges, the conduct of several In-service Teachers' Courses, visits to primary and secondary schools to supervise and encourage the art teachers, the preparation of visual arts syllabuses and curriculum development, actually supporting the Trinidad Art Society and the Art Teachers' Association as well as serving on various interest- based committees, all of these were attended to, apart from the organization of competitions and exhibitions of one kind or other and looking after the affairs of The National Museum and Art Gallery.
Much later in his career, Gayadeen was awarded a Government Development Scholarship to pursue further studies at the California College of Arts and Crafts, U.S.A. and in 1974 he graduated with the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree -Summa Cum Laude. On his return, he continued to serve in the capacity of Cultural Officer II with additional responsibility for the organization and function of the National Museum and Art Gallery. His part-time attachment to the Oakland Museum, California, proved to be a very valuable experience in curatorial techniques.
In addition to previous scholarships, in 1980, he was selected to pursue further post-graduate studies for the Diploma in Education in the area of Education Administration at the Faculty of Education, U.W.I. St. Augustine. His dissertation "The Organization and Function of the National Museum and Art Gallery as an Education Institution; with proposals for the establishment of a National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago," was well received.
Apart from his academic pursuits, he also participated in many art exhibitions over the years, which included the International Sao Paulo - Brazil Exhibitions, showings at the Commonwealth Institute - London, Canadian Expo, Carifesta, and others. Apart from these, Gayadeen has had four solo exhibitions in the past years and has enjoyed many important purchases both locally, and abroad.
Commenting on one of his early "One Man" exhibitions, Derek Walcott wrote in a newspaper review, the extract - "technically, however, Mr. Gayadeen is learning a great deal of late, and his newer paintings however agitated they seem on the surface, rather modest in intention. In two paintings of "Wooden Houses," he has achieved a good sense of balance between free spontaneous handling of paint over an ordered drawing, and in "Boats", the thick restless impasto of colours has produced a picture which is alive."
In 1970, the Dictionary of Caribbean Biography was published and included Gayadeen who was presented with a "Certificate of Merit for distinguished service to the understanding between various peoples of the Caribbean." In like manner, he was presented with an Appropriate Award for Education by the St George East County Council commemorating County Day in 1986 and also a fitting presentation was made to him by the Trinidad Art Society in 1993 in celebration of their Golden Jubilee.
During the years of active service he has also found the time to collate and produce a booklet of Biographical Sketches of "Forty Artists of Trinidad and Tobago". They were all establiched and recognized for their diverse expression of art forms. These booklets were distributed to all schools and institutions so as to enable the general public to develop an appreciation for the work of our local artists. Again, in 1983, he also authored and published "Selected Works of Alfredo Codallo- Artist and Folklorist". This piblication, apart from being commemorative, also served to record the achievements of one of our highly recognized artists.
Gayadeen is a painter, ceramist and print-maker who works in various media and enjoys experimenting with new forms and techniques, which range from the realistic to abstract expression. Although retired from the public service, for several years, he continues to practice and serves as an art consultant to students and artists alike.
 Full Moon at Sans Souci 20" x 24"- Acrylic |
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 Nature Trail- North Coast - 25.75 x 12.75" - Acrylic |
 Woman- 22 x 28" - Oil |
