Boscoe Holder

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Boscoe Holder (16 July 1921 - 21 April 2007), born Arthur Aldwyn Holder in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, of partly Barbadian stock, was Trinidad and Tobago's leading contemporary painter, who had also had a celebrated international career spanning six decades as a designer and visual artist, dancer, choreographer and musician. He married the dancer Sheila Davis Clarke in 1948, and their son Christian was born the following year. (Christian Holder eventually became a leading dancer with the Joffrey Ballet.)

He started a musical career at a young age, playing the piano professionally for rich French creole, Portuguese and Chinese families. In his teens he began painting seriously, and formed his own dance company. His style carefully preserved Afro-Caribbean tradition. His paintings and dances were inspired by the shango, bongo and bele dances, of the slaves.

In 1950 Boscoe Holder went to live in London as a dancer and performer appearing at well known theatres. He danced in Nice, Monte Carlo, and Paris with Josephine Baker. He continued to paint.

In the late 1960s he returned to Trinidad and quickly re-established himself as a painter. Since that time he has been exhibited all over the Caribbean.His paintings can be seen in collections throughout the world, preserving the West Indian culture.