The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WHEN AWARD winning actor Danny Glover mentioned he was tired of receiving regular old trophies - he has acquired many over the years - Bahamian artist Philip Gibson knew exactly what he would present the actor and other award recipients during the 2013 Bahamas International Film Festival.

Philip had the opportunity to design trophies for the festival which ended last week. The trophies presented to award recipients featured Junkanoo craft that added “cultural pizzazz”.

Philip is a founder of All Things Junkanoo, a company that mainly produces “cultural artwork”. The company also does interior decorating; school projects, an array of ornaments, centre pieces, and Junkanoo floral arrangements.

Philip’s Junkanoo trophy featured BIFF’s logo, the black, white and gold fish made from cardboard against a Junkanoo spade-shaped backdrop.

“This experience was amazing for me. It started out with Leslie Vanderpool (BIFF Founder) telling me that Danny Glover called and said he is tired of regular old trophies since he has hundreds of them. He said he is coming to the Bahamas and wants something Bahamian. I looked at Leslie and smiled and said to myself, he is going to get Bahamian,” said Philip.

His first award was created last year for the Harbourside Marine and Rotary Fishing Tournament. Ms Vanderpool saw his creation and was intrigued.

“I gained a lot of exposure because I became  an official sponsor of BIFF 2013 and got the perks that came along with it. The biggest part for me was seeing the smile and countenance of awe on the recipients’ faces especially Danny Glover; that is what gave me an overwhelming sense of gratification,” he said

Philip’s interest in Junkanoo craft started as a young boy growing up on Augusta Street. He watched one of his mentors Valentino Heastie, now deceased, from the driveway of his home teach the young men in the community the ins and outs of costume construction.

Philip eventually ventured over to the Roots Junkanoo Group and learned the craft further. Philip’s mentor noticed his natural ability and continued to nurture him along with a few others. From that point he became a member of the group.

“The inspiration came from the younger guys in my set that I saw everyday going to the shack. Guys like Ramon Miller, the 4x4 Olympic gold medallist, his brother Duran Miller, Andrico Richardson and Micheal Major just to name a few. The inner me was determined to be second to none and seeing those young boys do it, I figured I could do it and do it better than they could,” Philip told Tribune Arts.

“My creations are mostly inspired by clients. They come to me with what they want and after consultation I sleep on it and wake up with the image of the finished product in my head. I feel it is my gift from God.  

Philip said the hardest part is the thought process determining how he will design the trophies and what colours he will use.

“In fact I tell people that a lot of the things I did, I did for the first time, did not have a clue how to, but my hands started moving and spectacular creations were born. The process almost always involves, me dozing off at my work station and my two people that keep me going.”

Right now, Philip is more focused on assisting the Roots Junkanoo Group secure the win in both the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades.

“I have big ideas to help market Junkanoo and more so the Bahamas. I want to have pieces on every office desk, Christmas tree and school. In fact, I am responsible for the first Junkanoo piece in Government House that I donated earlier this year. In the New Year I want to start a big brother programme with less fortunate children to teach the craft,” he said.