Artist and Honorary Consul of Portugal to Barbados, Catherine Forter Chee-a-Tow (left), presenting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Maxine McClean with the painting at the Ministry (C. Pitt/BGIS)
The best of Barbadian culture will be heading to Brazil.
"Bridgetown Market", the title of a painting by Artist and Honorary Consul of Portugal to Barbados, Catherine Forter Chee-a-Tow will soon grace the walls of Barbados’ new Embassy in Brazil.
Ambassador Chee-a-Tow, presented the painting to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Maxine McClean in a brief ceremony this morning. She said "she understood the importance of our country’s presence overseas and strived to increase art’s dynamic role in promoting Barbados’ culture abroad."
Senator McClean in turn praised the piece and maintained it depicted a "wonderful piece of old Barbadiana", something she was quite familiar with.
"This painting not only captured activity, it also captured the entrepreneurial spirit of Barbados and Barbadians.?? And I believe, especially in these times when we are encouraging such a spirit of entrepreneurship, it reminds us of the importance of that…
"In terms of our initiatives in Brazil – entrepreneurship, business and commercial activity are important.?? And from a cultural standpoint as well, we need to encourage our young Barbadians to see art and things related to art as an important endeavour from the point of view of cultural expression," she opined.
Mrs. Chee-a-Tow stated that by partnering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the permanent placement into the new Embassy, in Brasilia, Brazil, that "Bridgetown Market", would encourage cross-cultural understanding within the diplomatic community and the international public.
"I extend best wishes to our first Ambassador to Brazil, Yvette Goddard, and hope that "Bridgetown Market" assists her silently, by visually sharing with the people of Brazil, the most important aspect of our culture – our people," she concluded.??