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WILLI CHEN

NATIONALITY: Citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.
PARENTS: John and Iris Chen, Immigrants from Guangdong Province,China.

Willi Chen was born on October 23, 1934, to John and Iris Chen, immigrants from Guangdong Province in China. His father owned a shop in Cedros and Chen remembers stumbling upon his passion for art and design while sitting and drawing on brown paper.

Versatile and inquisitive in his daily approach to life, Chen, is a respected businessman, artist, playwright, poet, journalist, author and mentor and feels he has achieved his wildest dreams.

Chen has been honoured for his many contributions to Trinidad and Tobago, including the Chaconia Silver received in 2006 and Hummingbird Silver medal he received in 1989. In 2000 Chen was voted the most important Caribbean writer of Chinese origin and in 2005 was given the San Fernando East Constituency Award for Art and Culture.

He attributes his experience in construction to his love of sculpture. Purchasing a welding machine to complete construction on his parents home, he used to create his work. Solar Marinorama is one example of his skill in metalwork. 14’0”x64’0” long, Solar Marinorama was the winning entry in a competition hosted by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago in 1988.
Chen conducts free painting and drawing workshops for his students.

He has won awards for his paintings. A business man, with little time to spare, yet he works assiduously at his paintings whenever he can. His style tends towards the non-objective.

EXHIBITIONS:
Group shows: Habana Bienal - Sao Paulo Beinales British Commonwealth
Three - One Man Exhibitions

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS:
Marabella RC Church, Pleasantville RC Church, Pagoda Building, Factory Layout, Dwelling, Crucifix Altar.

LITERARY:
'King of Carnival' - Short stories - Publications in London. Graham House, London Magazine, Caribbean Poetry, Nantucket Review, The Writer, Callaloo, and Caribbean Wave.

JUDGE:
Carnival King and Queen Pageant, Other Pageants.
National Cultural Complex Competition - Architectural Designs. Art Competitions, Literary Competitions, Calypso Competitions.

ORGANISATIONS:
Trinidad Art Society, Writers Union, Royal Victoria Institute, San Fernando Arts Council, Marabella Improvement Carnival Committee, Board Member Naparima Bowl. San Fernando Theatre Workshop.

AWARDS:
1st Prize - Painting - London
1st Prize - Sculpture -
Central Bank Mural 1st Prize -
Drama - NCC 1st Prize -
Short Story - NCC 1st Prize -
Poetry - NCC 1st Prize -
Drama - NCC 1st Prize -
Poetry - Tradewinds 1st Prize -
Short Story - Longman 1st Prize -
Short Story - Sun Eye 1st Prize -
Stage Design - NDATT 1st Prize -
Stage Design - Cacique BBC Commendation Prize -
Radio PlayTTT Prize Drama
Prize - USA Writers of the Future
Hindu Organization - Poetry Prize.
14 Other Prizes - Local and International - Literary, Sculpture, etc
USA Manuscript 1 - Prize -
Short Story USA Manuscript 2 - Prize -
Short Story Beryl Mc Burnie - Certificate of Honor National Award -
Humming Bird Art Critic for Dallies, Columnist.

DRAMA:
Plays performed Locally, Prize Winning Play Performed in Canada with local cast.

Rain Forest