A new sculpture by British-Trinidadian artist Zak Ové has been unveiled in London’s St James area, bringing together a mix of Trinidadian culture and British cars.

The work ‘Autonomous Morris’ is what Ové called a motorised ‘Macco’ which uses discarded Morris Minor car parts to tell others stories.

For those of you who do not speak fluent Trini, a ‘Macco’ is the Trinidad term for somebody who involves themselves in other people’s business for the purpose of gossip and posterity.

The ten-foot high sculpture is to be found at the newly re-opened Smithson Plaza in St James, where The Economist Magazine used to be sited. It is Ové’s largest mask to date and references his interest in the sculptural aspects of cars, using them to represent geographical movement, historical documentation, protection and nostalgia.

 Ové said: “I’m fascinated by ideas around time travel, the spread of diaspora and the positive effects of colliding cultures. My sculpture highlights my belief in the power or play embodied in masquerade, to liberate a sense of self and provide an alternate or evolving creative space both personal and communal. Autonomous Morris soaks up contemporary oral history and information, recording and storing as a ‘never forgetterer’. 

“He listens to your aspirations, your pride, joy and anguish, acting as a receiver and archiver of memory.”

‘Autonomous Morris’ joins other pieces in the UK capital by the artist who grew up in London and Trinidad. It will be exhibited in Smithson Plaza until March 2019.

Related articles:

Caribbean events in the UK

What's the Buzz - Features from the Caribbean and the Diaspora

New Writers Club - Celebrating new Caribbean writing, contests and successes

All about Zak Ové