My Philosophy

Art possesses magical powers, which can arouse all kinds of emotions in us, from simple joy to much deeper feelings. Art can gladden our eyes, enrich our thoughts and deepen our feelings. Art is about order and rhythm.

An artist is like a story teller. He is not so much concerned to show us how clever he is with palette and brush, as to present before us a chosen incident in such a way as to rouse our interest and our sympathy!

'Beauty', they say, 'lies in the eye of the beholder.' In other words, you like it, I loathe it, on first sight. Nevertheless, instant like/loathe decisions are generally worthless. You take the trouble to read the instructions that come with a power tool or dress pattern, to understand how the thing is meant to work. The same trouble should be taken with a work of art! 

About Me

The Artist: (Namika) Haffeza Mohammed.

Born: 10th of January, 1976 at Icacos Village in Cedros, South Trinidad. Attended the Icacos Government Primary School, Point Fortin Junior Secondary School, and later the Cedros Composite School. Displayed particular interest in drawing as a child. During the primary school years (6 to 11 years) was awarded a consolation prize in a poster competition. Then later on, as a student of the Point Fortin Junior Secondary School I displayed greater potential for drawing and painting.

'I shocked my art teacher: She was amazed at the detail in a painting which I had done. I was doing a sketch of a scene of the surrounding school district, and when she saw it she told me that it was too detailed for me to paint. I was only twelve years old at the time and she thought I wouldn't have been able to paint it. But, to her surprise, I was very able to paint every detail in that painting. This amazed her so much. I can still remember the look on her face as she looked at the finished painting, and proudly held it up to show it to the rest of the class. Everyone was amazed, and so was she!'

My potential for art was later nurtured at the Cedros Composite School where my Art teacher was Mrs. Sharon Laing. She was a very great inspiration to me. She made me feel like I was simply the best!

In October 1995, I was the winner of an art competition held by the Hindu Women's Organisation in commemoration of the 150 years of Indian Arrival. Also in that year, one of my pieces, an Icacos Village scene, was presented as a gift to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Patrick Manning when he made a tour of the South.

Through the years I have worked in a variety of media, which includes: pencil, charcoal, pastels, water colour and acrylic.

Recently I completed a two year course at the Corinth Teachers' College in Trinidad where my Elective Subject was Art. Currently, I am a teacher at the Icacos Government Primary School, in my village.