Meet Indra Persad Milowe | Visual & Public Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Indra Persad Milowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Indra, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My interest in art was inspired through nature, still life and design. I adored my St Augustine Girls’ High School art teacher, Mrs. Helga Mohammed from Madrid, Spain, who she was married to a Trinidadian.

On my first day in her class at age 12, written on her blackboard was: “Art is not only a painting hanging up on a wall; art is in every aspect of your daily life.” These words have been stuck in my head ever since. My paintings were chosen for the high school’s yearbook for two consecutive years. At age 15, I painted from nature – orchids on a branch. At age 16, I did a still life – a display of an apple, pear, and a bunch of grapes. Those two paintings and all the incredible reviews that came with them lifted my confidence in my artwork.

I want my art to inspire myself and the viewers! And when I am not painting, I see the world, the whole universe as art. Mother Nature is the greatest artist! She endlessly fascinates me with her daily sunrise and sunset paintings. Her endless creations all around me: the stars, the planets, the mountains, the seas. The delights of each season, all high art: spring’s multicolored flowers, summer’s lush greenery, fall’s bright spectacular leaves and winter’s quiet white landscapes. Endless art all around me. I am inspired to add a little of my own- what a joy it is!

As Mrs. Mohammed taught me, “There is an art to living this life!” So, I have studied interior decorating. I have immersed myself in the culinary arts. Above all is the art of relating to my fellow humans and all sentient beings of this spectacular planet!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a prolific visual and public artist with numerous exhibitions and press releases internationally. My art tells stories and is embedded with cultural content. The vibrant colors are designed to catch the viewer’s eye while the content is meant to educate and inspire!

It was hard work but so much fun researching various cultures. Traveling and meeting people and doing artist residencies helped bring into focus what I wanted to paint.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Let us start in my home town, Salem. There is the fabulous Peabody-Essex [Art] Museum. There are historic homes and the beautiful seashore. My favorite restaurant is Rockafellas which has an extensive menu and plenty of outdoor seating. The food is always above average.

Then we can hop on a bus or take the commuter rail half hour ride to downtown Boston. We can walk through the Boston Common and the beautiful, peaceful Public Gardens. Then on to another world-class art museum, The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We can stop at the Boston Public Library where in summertime there are free concerts in the courtyard. Inside you can be part of the audience for a Boston Public Radio show live!

By now, we are starving, so I would probably choose one of the excellent Indian restaurants to take my guests.
Later in the day, we stroll the Rose Kennedy Greenway, where there is public art and where children play in the water fountains. If we are hungry again there is the adjacent Haymarket, with plenty of fresh delicious fruits on sale. Or for snacks, there is the Boston Public Market. Here you can find one of the best-rated ice creams in the world (per National Geographic) but I will say no more!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am very grateful to the Rotunda Gallery. This gallery is located in the parliament building, The Red House, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. They have given me the opportunity to display my art on a regular basis and have a wide viewing audience!

I am also very grateful to Carolyn Sharon Goodridge, Founder and Executive Director of Art Impact International, Inc. An established artist herself, she has offered me valuable feedback and the opportunity to exhibit with her online gallery exhibitions.

Finally, a shoutout to Julie Barry, Senior Planner in Arts & Culture for the City of Salem, MA. She has given me opportunities to display art in public settings in downtown Salem.

Website: www.indrapersadmilowe.com

Instagram: indra.persad.milowe

Facebook: Indra Persad-milowe

Image Credits
Joshua Satyam Milowe, George Milowe.