Castellani House

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In recognition of the colourful contributions that his father made to his country, Philip Moore (Jnr.) on Tuesday last, accepted an award from the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport on behalf of the late renowned artist, painter, and sculptor, Philip Alphonso Moore.Philip MooreMoore, the designer behind the 1763 Monument, is the holder of many awards including one of the highest in the land, the Cacique Crown of Honour.Moore died last May while in his home in Lancaster on the Corentyne, at age 90. Moore was bedridden and suffered from ailments of the heart and kidneys.Moore claimed that around 1955, he dreamt that a large hand reached down to him from the heavens, and a voice commanded him to begin his career as an artist. From then on, Moore used to consider himself as being “spirit-taught.”It is believed that the moment was a somewhat decisive one in his life.Moore, in heading to the “commanding voice” began to modestly, refine his skills by carving wooden canes which helped him to quickly develop proficiency in manipulating tropical hardwoods.By 1964, his intuitive carving abilities came to the attention of local authorities at the Department of Culture, who hired him to teach craft and arts.In 1976 with the assistance of the government, he created what would be the largest bronze sculpture in the region; the 1763 Monument. It is nearly 25 feet tall, and sits at Square of the Revolution.Apart from his paintings and sculpture Moore taught at the Burrowes School of Art and the Princeton University in the USA as a guest professor.Moore returned to Berbice in 2004 after taking ill, but continued to work from home. He later became bedridden, and was being cared for by his children.Moore sold the bulk of his work to the Department of Culture, which installed his pieces in the National Art Gallery, Castellani House, in Georgetown.Some of Philip Moore’s workMoore was the father of five, three of whom died. He was married to Eula Moore (nee Grant) who is also now deceased.He was the grandfather of nine, and the great grandfather of two. Philip Moore (Jnr.), his son who accepted the recent award on his behalf, does part time painting, and is keen to take up the mantle, having worked with his father on numerous occasions.Philip Moore (Jnr.) holds onto his father’s latest award