San Fernando wood artist Junior Bisnath is putting up for sale a hand-carved chair in honour of Winston “Shadow” Bailey’s 1988 hit song Dingolay.
Bisnath is offering the chair which he described as a “musical throne and a national treasure” to the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) and the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts at $25,000, stating that he was in need of money to build his new home.
If neither the Government or TUCO respond to his offer, Bisnath will put the ceremonial chair, which is made of teak, mahogany and crapaud woods on the open market.
Hours after the wooden throne was proudly displayed next to Shadow’s casket at the Queen’s Park Savannah during his funeral service on Tuesday, Bisnath offered to sell it.
Flashback, Winston “Shadow” Bailey sits in the chair which Junior Bisnath made for him.
Shadow, 77, who has been described as a musical scientist, died on October 23.
University students often view the chair during tours of his Henry Street home.
“I have plans of building a new home which I want to turn into a museum for calypsonians. As a lover of the calypso artform, I have on display my own private art collection of awards and art pieces in honouring their achievements and service to the country.”
Among the calypsonians, Bisnath, 61, has paid tribute to with craft were Brother Resistance, Lord Kitchener and Black Stalin.
Back in 1988, Bisnath forked out $1,000 for the three types of wood while he put his labour and creativity at $3,000.
Today, he values the chair at $25,000.
He said the chair, which he considers a national monument would be sold under one condition “it must be put in a place” where the public can view it.
Bisnath, a wood maker with the Ministry of Works, said the idea of the chair was conceptualised after Shadow sang Dingolay in 1988 which was a bumper hit.
The chair was not revealed to Shadow until a few years ago when Bisnath and Shadow attended a folk fair at the Queen’s Park Savannah where the chair was on display.
The calypsonian got an opportunity to sit on the chair and to be photographed. “Shadow told me that it was a great honour that somebody had hand-carved a throne for him to sit on in recognition of his work. He really beamed with pride,” Bisnath recalled.
On the headrest of the chair, Bisnath carved T&T’s national flag and a verse from Dingolay.
At the end of the armrest, Bisnath sculptured two djembe drums, while its seat is shaped into a turntable with the pattern of a record.
The backrest has the design of a guitar while musical notes are placed on the front with pan sticks and a steel drum adorning its sides.
“When I listened to the words of Shadow’s song...especially the line that ‘music has no friend nor enemy and anybody could dingolay,’ it gave me the inspiration to build the chair. Dingolay was such a well-loved song, and even up to this day it is still lyrically powerful. Shadow has gone, but his legacy will continue with his music. Shadow is one of a kind,” Bisnath said.
If someone buys the chair, Bisnath promises to make a replica to keep in his collection.
Contacted yesterday, TUCO president Lutalo Masimba said the offer by Bisnath came as a surprise to him.
“Mr Bisnath is an artist...he is looking for value for his work. He is quite in order to do that.”
Masimba said for years TUCO has been lobbying for a museum to showcase the work and history of calypsonians.
“At this time, we don’t have any space to store such an item,” Masimba said.