Introduction
In commemoration of the renowned artist Stanley Greaves’ 90th birthday, the Sunday Stabroek will be featuring images of some of his artwork accompanied by poems written by him. This week’s painting OLD TIME STRING BAND. 1977 is accompanied by a note from Mr Greaves and the poem.
OLD TIME STRING BAND. 1977. Oils, 38” h. x
48” h.
This type of band was popular up to the 1940’s. My Dad was regarded as the leader of the band portrayed. I actually heard them play twice before it was disbanded because such bands were replaced by “Juke Boxes” that played records at parties, dances and weddings and by bands with amplified instruments. My Father died in 1961 but the idea to do a painting to commemorate the members came in 1977. Borrowing from the tradition of painting the names of saints above their heads I did the same for the bandsmen. From left to right: Joe Rowe was the only professional member of the band, Taylor was a Charlestown saw mill worker and part time furniture maker, my Dad basically worked on the waterfront but did other jobs as well, Glen was a cabinet maker who made Dad’s guitar and Campbell played the flute. Despite many offers to buy it, the painting remains in my collection.
POEM
I was introduced by Jocelyn Dow to Laroche who was a cabinet maker in her employment. He was known as a guitar maker.
MAKER OF GUITARS, 1987 (in memory of Luis Laroche).
Chitara, guitara,
in the corner sharing space
with my Father’s spirit
and his brother’s before him,
dedicated protagonists
of this dread instrument –
both woman and coffin.
Chitara, guitara,
of symmetry in ancient woods
framing songs of exaltation
as yet we daringly live
in bold fretted alliance.
This instrument fused to
each nerve and tapping foot
all trapped in muted angles
or strange edges of this enigma.
Chitara, guitara
daring all with its silence.
