Ian Ali
B. 1937
D. 2007
Ian Angus Ali was born on the 21st of January 1937 in the village of Tunapuna. He excelled in Art, Literature and Theatre at Naparima College. His passion for Carnival inspired him to design for Carnival Bands, play steel-pan and in later years, become the familiar voice doing Carnival Commentary on TV and radio. In 1962, he won a Government Scholarship to study Art in England. He attended the Bath Academy of Art in Bristol where he studied Painting and Film-Making. At the Sir John Cass College of Arts he studied Sculpture, Jewelry, Commercial Art, Magazine and Layout and Television Production. He also attended Hammersmith College of Arts and Building where he studied Environmental Sculpture, Design and Fabric Work and was awarded the National Diploma in Design.
In 1966 he returned home. Combining his love of Theatre with his newly honed artistic skills he created stunning and memorable backdrops for the Trinidad Light Operatic Society for productions such as “Oklahoma”, “South Pacific”, “Carmen”, “Wizard of Oz”, “Pirates of Penzance” and “Carmen”.
Over the next four decades, his work would expand across many a horizon, from Set designing to Art Exhibitions, from Art Education to judging for the Prime Minister’s Best Village Competitions and what he is most remembered for – marrying art and the media – pioneering a series of television shows that would ultimately bring art right into the nations’ living rooms – something no one had ever done before, in Trinidad and Tobago.
From the 70’s to the 90’s, he produced and presented several television shows. He taught adults the basics of painting in “Painting for Pleasure” with AVM Television station and “Rikki Tikki” was the first television program in the Caribbean for Caribbean children. One of the most popular segments of the show involved “Story-Time’’ where Ian Ali would paint on huge canvasses, illustrating his original Caribbean story as he told it. Countless adults still remember and acknowledge this as their seminal moment in art – their introduction to the magic within themselves, the realization that they had the power to create their own story and illustrate their own life-canvasses.
From the seventies onwards, Ian Ali hosted and participated in over a dozen Exhibitions, gaining critical acclaim and a devoted following both locally and internationally. Some Exhibitions of note include:
- 1973 One Man Exhibition(Tobago)
- 1979 One Man Exhibition(Trinidad Hilton)
- 1989 Caribbean Arts Community 3rd Annual Fine Arts Exhibition “A Spirit Undaunted III”
- 1991 One-man Art Exhibition at Trinidad High Commission(Toronto, Canada)
- 1992 One-man Art Exhibition (London, Ontario, Canada),
- 1997 Emancipation Support Committee Exhibition of Fine Art “Redemption Time”(Trinidad)
- 1999 One-man Art Exhibition at Trinidad and Tobago Consulate(Miami, Florida)
- 2002 Coordinated the 40th Anniversary Art Exhibition “Retrospectives” featuring the nation’s premier artists at the Central Bank Auditorium (Trinidad) for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
In addition to his Art exhibitions, his design work also blossomed, resulting most notably in the creation of the local medals that are currently awarded to Scouts in Trinidad and Tobago.
By the year 2007, he had indelibly etched himself and his work into the evolution of the arts in this country, crossing disciplines and uniting hearts through Art, broadcast media and journalism, Theatre, Education, Culture and Scouting. Just before his sudden passing in 2007, Ian Ali was teaching art to infants at the Trinidad Muslim League – teaching a whole new generation lessons he will always be remembered for – follow your heart… and your art.
PRESENTATIONS: Medal of Merit and Silver Ibis Medal – Most Outstanding Service to Scouting
PUBLICATIONS:
1992 - story “Jumbie in the Rice” published by UNESCO (winner- Caribbean Co-Publication Program
1986 - Cover design for this 75th Anniversary Brochure of Trinidad and Tobago Scouting Association as well as design of emblems for these celebrations
2005 - illustrated Heroes Comic book sponsored by CLICO on Jit Samaroo .
2006 - “Steelband” semi-abstract painting used for cover artwork of “Simply Panache” CD of steel band music sponsored by the Naparima Alumni Association of Canada
2008- (to be launched) - TSTT Foundation Series. Great Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago.
Illustrated Biographies Series 2 Volumes 5-8.
To see more of Ian Ali's paintings, go to this website:
http://www.nancocad.com/ianali_files/frame.htm
Ian Ali on the Rikki Tikki Television Show
Turtle Beach Hotel ( Tobago) Mural
