Shazam Mohammed

 contact: shazam@tstt.net.tt

Shazam Mohammed was born on 3rd July 1960 in the town of Sangre Grande.
His talent for drawing and painting was first discovered by his primary school teacher. In his teens, he began to develop his skill, experimenting with a number of mediums but found oil to his liking and which remains his choice up to today. In his youth he painted comic book heroes but from early on his desire and destiny lay in being a land and seascape specialist. 

After graduating from North Eastern College, Shazam began painting scenes inspired by movies, especially science fiction and horror. Simultaneously, he pursed his A-level in Art together with some Graphic Art courses. At his parents' business in his hometown of Sangre Grande, many of his comic heroes were displayed along with land and seascape paintings. He has exhibited in approximately eleven solo exhibitions. 

Shazam went on to do sign making. When he was 25 he then offered a reliable printing service to the people of Sangre Grande and continued painting as a hobby. However, around age 30, he felt an urge to go seriously at his canvases as ideas, shapes and colours kept presenting themselves to him demanding their birth. In 1992, his work began to be acquired by collectors. 

Although known for his ability to paint water and the coastal areas of our country with a photo­realistic approach, what is unique about Shazam is his ability to paint almost all subjects of interest, including historical sites and buildings, still life and abstract. Sometimes, it seems the very ordinary is not enough for him. 

In 1997, Shazam's work was chosen among several artists of Trinidad and Tobago for display at the Commonwealth Institute in London to commemorate it's 35th anniversary celebrations. His paintings received good comments and two of them are featured in "Trinidad and Tobago - Through the Eye of the Artist", a comprehensive 196 page book, published for the occasion. In 1997, the Businessmen Association of Sangre Grande felt that the best gift to give to Wendy Fitzwilliam (Miss Universe 1997) was a painting from Shazam. In 1998, Shazam's family lineage was traced from India to the present time. He was honoured for his work and the fame that he brought to his family name from amongst forty chosen, his name being one of the most renowned after becoming one of the nation's most featured artists with a record 21 times newspaper appearances. In addition, he has made several TV appearances and numerous theses and school based assessment projects have been done on him.

One of the highlights of his career is his painting "The Big Slam Theory / A Tribute to West Indies Cricket" which received good media coverage in 2000, a 72-year dedication to the achievement of West Indies cricket. His work is now steadily reaching out to many prominent businesses and collectors throughout the country and abroad. In 2006, he was honoured by the Sangre Grande Regional corporation for his contribution to the region at the Indian Arrival Day celebrations.


Honey-Comb
24 x 36" oil on canvas
Surrealism. The sweet nectar of life on earth is ever surrounded by the daily tribulations from sunrise to sunset, whether upon barren lands (Somalia) or fertile soils (U.S.) the Bee which produces the honey brings with it the fighting ants ever willing to take hold of it.

 


The Rock
24 x 36" oil on canvas
The rock. As if perched in the middle of the ocean, the rock lends itself to the beauty and splash of the everlasting sea, filled with awesome colours of nature. The artist master in the display of water, each wave lending itself unto the other.


The Shout
12 x 14" oil on canvas
Surrealism. The release of pent up feelings within the breasts of men. The shout releases anxiety, pain from whatever colour or creed we may belong. It prevents the dark clouds from gathering and presents a better horizon for us.


 


House on Gomez Street
18 x 24" oil on canvas
The house on Gomez Street is a realistic duplication of a now extinct house. This painting captures the house in all its majestic historical importance, a true relic from the past. Captured in time, preserved forever.

 



Count de Lopinot House
24 x 36" oil on canvas
The count de Lopinot House is a part of our history and culture. Set in the breathtaking mountain range of Lopinot, this painting is a photo realism document. The artist was severely criticised by art critics for producing a too photo -realistic art piece. However, it is the view of the artist that if something is to be in its pristine form for historical reasons, there is no harm in photo-realism.

 



A cry in the dark
24 x 36" oil on canvas
Surrealism. Upon the earth from sunrise to sunset, there are wars; religious wars, depletion of the ozone layer. The gun we have placed at her feet wreaks destruction. She boils inside however if we join hands together we will instead produce peace, harmony and beautify the earth instead with flowers of every kind and bring racial harmony to mankind. The earth extends her hand always to us.

 


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