Valerie Belgrave (3 March 1946 – 23 August 2016)[1] was a Trinidadian artist and author, who also composed music.
Valerie Belgrave | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 March 1946 Petit Bourg, San Juan, Trinidad |
| Died | 23 August 2016 (aged 70) Trinidad |
| Alma mater | Sir George Williams University |
| Occupations |
|
| Notable work | Ti Marie (1988) |
| Spouse | Ian "Teddy" Belgrave (d. 2013) |
| Children | 1 son |
Biography edit
Valerie Belgrave was born and raised in Petit Bourg, San Juan, Trinidad. She attended St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando,[2] and continued her education at Sir George Williams University (now Concordia), in Canada, where she obtained a BA degree in painting and literature.[3][4] She took part in the 1969 sit-in staged by hundreds of students at the computer lab on the ninth floor of the university in protest against a professor who was accused of racism; the incident, which became the subject of a documentary called The Ninth Floor, is believed to have helped spark the 1970 Black Power Revolution in Trinidad.[5][6][7]
Belgrave's writings included the novels Ti Marie (published in 1988, and described as "a Caribbean Gone with the Wind)[3] and Dance the Water (2002), a play entitled Night of the Wolf (1991), and the 2007 children's book Adventures of the Magic Steelpan, as well as a photo memoir called Art for the People, launched in 2011.[8] She was also a painter and batik designer.[4]
Personal life edit
She was married to Ian "Teddy" Belgrave (who died in July 2013),[4] and had one son, Chenier Belgrave, who is a designer.[6]
References edit
- ^ Rhoma Spencer, "Tribute to Valerie Belgrave", The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network, 28 August 2016.
- ^ "A work of art", Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 28 November 2011.
- ^ a b Margaret Busby, "Valerie Belgrave", in Daughters of Africa, 1992, p. 681.
- ^ a b c "Artist Valerie Belgrave dies", TT Whistle Blower, 24 August 2016.
- ^ Camille Hunte, "Valerie Belgrave laid to rest", Daily Express (Trinidad and Tobago), 27 August 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ a b Peter Ray Blood, "From young radical to celebrated artist", Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 16 October 2016.
- ^ Valerie Belgrave, "Memories Of A Hot Winter: 1970 Retrospective", The Caribbean Review, 3 August 2017.
- ^ "Valerie Belgrave launches 'Art for the People'", Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 12 December 2011;via Repeating Island, 14 December 2011.
External links edit
- Peter Ray Blood, "From young radical to celebrated artist", Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 16 October 2016.