Baba, Thank you for this beautiful and very moving poem - truly honouring Etu! Yes, he was deeply committed to nature and the preservation of the environment. He was one of the very first people installing solar panels in The Gambia. He also propagated the use of traditional building methods and materials, also in urban architecture. But before all Etu is a celebrated international artist. He has exhibited all over the world, and can count Kofi Annan among the collectors of his art works. In 2008 he was elected as one of 8 leading African artists to represent Africa on the China Changchun International Sculpture Symposium. The symposium coincided with the Olympic Games which boosted the international exposure of the participating artists. (See: http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/2008/7/25/gambian-artist-attends-china-exhibition and http://observer.gm/africa/article/2008/9/26/gambian-artist-grabs-international-award ) Etu hosted also numerous international exchanges with fellow artists at his Art Village. At the time Etu was Pa Dacosta's most gifted student by far, but he wasn't encouraged to pursue an artistic career. Back in the 80's, when he was just 18 years old, especially my wife - an artist herself - has been supporting him as much as possible. Soon he started making a name as an upcoming painter. A Dutch art lover was so impressed that he sponsored his training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Holland. After his graduation Etu's career really soared until he became an established international artist. Etu can be credited for putting The Gambia on the cultural world map! His true greatness lies in his selflessness and generosity. He saw himself as a servant to this creative force and the urge to share it with as many people as possible, most of all with children. The Gambia has lost a wonderful artist, but his legacy will have a lasting impact. I am sure Etu has inspired many a young Gambian to chose a life of creativity and become artists themselves. On 25 March 2014 18:23, <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Baba, my deepest sympathy to this great lost. I never knew him, but when I > visited his page I marveled at his creative ingenuity. One wonders what > goes on in the minds of great artists. He seemed great comfortable with > nature and his surrounding, and as you aptly describes he was one with > mother nature. > > So to Etu you are gone > the reality you create lives on > splattered in the walls of that thatched mud house > the mask that is etched on the tree stem > the creative spirit that surrounds the art village > always will be a reminder where you stand tall > you have a legacy we will remember as your call. > > > May God grant him eternal rest. > > Rene > > > ---Original Message----- > From: Baba Jallow <[log in to unmask]> > To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]> > Sent: Tue, Mar 25, 2014 10:20 am > Subject: [G_L] Elegy to Baboucarr Etu Ndow > > Elegy to Baboucarr Etu Ndow Can I write a poem for you EtuBut what poem > can ever hope to sayWhat you were, what you are You who are now one with > Mother Nature In this eternal moment of roaring silence? Can I write a poem > for you EtuSay your words remain lyricsIn the songs of beautiful > birdsSay your vision is dancing with the leavesUpon the trees of Art > VillageSay your eyes still dance with lifeUpon the faces of your silent > beauties? Can I write a poem for you EtuOf the days you shared your work > So full of life > Say the future you saw so brightWill come to passIn this eternal moment of > wailing silence? Can I write a poem for you EtuYou who are now one with > Mother NatureBeautiful Mother Nature that nurtured you Beautiful Mother > Nature that you nurtured Beautiful Mother Nature that forever cradles > youBeautiful Mother Nature that forever smiles with youOn this quiet day > that never ends? Can I write a poem for you Etu? Baba > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤To > unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web > interfaceat: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html > To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/ > SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-lTo contact the List Management, please > send an e-mail to:[log in to unmask]¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > > To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L > Web interface > at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html > > To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/ > SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l > To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: > [log in to unmask] > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤