2024 Carnival Dreams exhibition : Ray Mahabir’s 27-Year Journey

From March to June 2024, Sunshine International Arts proudly presented a remarkable exhibition showcasing the artistic journey of Ray Mahabir, from his humble beginnings in Trinidad to his career in the United Kingdom over the past 27 years.

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition could be described as a celebration of the carnival arts, having as a backbone Ray Mahabir’s artistic journey and the evolution of Sunshine International Arts. The exhibit encompassed various elements of Ray’s work, starting with his Trinidadian roots and the rich history of Trinidad Carnival. It explored his early endeavours as a Carnival designer for the South Connection Carnival Club in South London and his significant contribution to the Liverpool International Carnival under Brouhaha.

Ray Mahabir’s story began in Trinidad, where he was the third child in a family of four. Raised in modest circumstances, his childhood was enriched by the love and compassion of his mother, Dorren Mahabir. Her profound influence instilled in Ray a sense of growth and exploration from an early age. Despite societal expectations and financial obstacles, Ray’s passion for carnival arts emerged when he was eleven years old, fueled by his mother’s dedication to her family.

Carnival, an integral part of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural fabric, played a central role in shaping Ray’s artistic sensibilities. Inspired by renowned artists like Peter Minshall, Ray’s fascination with arts, fashion, and elaborate masquerade costumes ignited his desire for creative expression. Although his small village lacked formal training or guidance, Ray pursued his passion through studies in art, geometry, and architecture during his secondary education.

Costume from Notting Hill carnival

The exhibition was comprised of several rooms each highlighting a different chapter of Ray’s artistic career.

Man Arch

This section highlighted Ray’s role as the Carnival Director of Liverpool International Carnival, Brouhaha, focusing on the commemorative year of 2007, marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade.

In 2008, Ray created his largest single body of carnival work, comprising 2000 costumes, delving into the history of Trinidad Carnival. This narrative explored “From Chains To Cages… The Midnight Robber,” revealing the cultural significance and struggles embedded in carnival arts. Liverpool, a significant port in the slave trade, holds historical connections to this dark period.

The Gallery

In the Gallery visitors explored excerpts from Sunshine International Arts productions at Notting Hill Carnival from 2008 to 2022, offering a glimpse into the vibrant energy and creativity of our performances.

The Art Room

This room showcased Ray’s earlier works, spanning from 1988 to 2002, highlighting the evolution of his artistic vision and style.

Future Aspirations

The works on display represented only a glimpse of twenty-seven years of history. We aim to expand this exhibition and create new exhibits showcasing the full collection in the future.

We extended our heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters, mas players, artists, friends, and funders whose belief in Ray’s work made this journey possible.

This exhibition was made possible by the generous support of the Arts Council of England.

Discover More

Read more about Ray’s journey here.

Would you like this exhibition to be displayed on a venue near you? E-mail us: info@sunshineiarts.co.uk