Event One

This panel discussion and exhibition will explore the Soumayree, a traditional Indian Carnival masquerade character, through contemporary interpretations that engage with themes of spirituality, transformation, and cultural expression. The event will feature perspectives from Sade Budhlall and Kamille Andrews, artists engaged in traditional masquerade, who will discuss their costume designs, the symbolism within their work, and the evolving role of mas in cultural identity and resistance.

The discussion will examine Carnival as a dynamic space for artistic expression, spirituality, and social commentary. Panelists will share their influences, creative processes, and interdisciplinary approaches to mas-making, highlighting how historical and social conditions shape contemporary portrayals. The conversation will explore themes of transformation, collective memory, and the intersections of tradition and reinvention.

Accompanying the discussion, an exhibition will showcase costume elements, performance documentation, and artistic process materials, offering attendees both visual and conceptual insights into the panelists’ work. This event will highlight how mas-making weaves together multiple histories while fostering inclusivity and ethical co-creation. By centering creativity as a tool for social change, the talk will emphasize the role of artists in shaping meaningful and transformative cultural practices.

This panel and exhibition at Kazillion Kollectiv Art Lab in Chaguanas will offer a space for deep reflection on the evolution of mas as an artistic and cultural practice and the potential of shared studio spaces in fostering collaborative creativity.

Presenting these distinct yet interconnected portrayals, the event expands the conversation on tradition, reinvention, and the intersections of spirituality, resistance, sound, and contemporary Carnival.

Featured Artists & Portrayals

Sade Budhlall
Soumayree - The March Home
A mas invoking Mother Durga and the Palestinian struggle, pre-envisioning a return to ancestral land. This portrayal explores resilience, divine protection, and the intersection of diasporic resistance movements.

Kamille Andrews
Soumayree - Iron Woman
An exploration of destruction and creation through the steelpan and dhantal, symbolizing grief’s transformation into strength. This portrayal engages with themes of destruction, creation, and transformation through metal, rhythm, and ritual, drawing connections to the deities Shiva and Ogun.

Discussion Themes

• Tradition & Contemporary Relevance: How can historical mas characters be reworked to reflect today’s social and political climate?

• The Personal & the Traditional: What draws each artist to portray the Soumayree in their own way?

• Reimagining the Soumayree: What does it mean to reinterpret a historical mas character today?

• Embodiment & Identity: How do these portrayals navigate personal and collective storytelling?

• Mas as Socially Engaged Performance: How can performance art and Carnival traditions reflect themes of war, conflict, grief, and transformation?

• Future Directions: How can mas-making evolve to foster community, activism, and cultural sustainability?