The funeral of Guyanese iconic artist and sculptor Phillip Moore will be held on Tuesday in Berbice, in a simple style mirroring the life he lived. However his children are disappointed that it is not being held in the city so that friends could pay last tributes.
His two surviving children, Phillip Moore Jr and Corine Munroe, expressed disappointment that their father would not be brought to the capital where he spent most of his life, produced most of his work and had most of his friends.
“He was a humble man, a simple man but because he lived most of his life in Georgetown, I am sure he would have wanted to have his students and friends, who meant so much to him, come to pay last tributes in Georgetown where he was most popular. He gone already so what can we do? But, my God, we would have wanted so much for his students and the people whose lives he touched to see him,” the man’s daughter said.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, yesterday told Stabroek News that despite calls for a state funeral, by some local groups, he was pleased to adhere to the wishes of the man’s relatives since they would have known him best. “We don’t want to infringe on the family. What the ministry has been doing is we have been in contact with the family. We have a number of persons who have been speaking to the son and the daughter pertaining to what the family would like for the funeral. The government has committed to assist however possible. I have seen a budget and most things requested of us we have agreed,” Anthony said.
“There is this suggestion and call for a state funeral; so far I know there are specific protocols one would have to observe. Last night speaking to some of the relatives that were at the 1763, I don’t get a sense that the call was as impactful and strong as the groups suggest. I think Phillip deserves a big funeral and we are working with the family to do that,” he said.
Minister Anthony said the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will conduct “specific protocols” as is done for all late national awardees and since Moore was bestowed with the Cacique Crown of Honour he is no different.
Further, his ministry plans to work with several persons to catalogue Moore’s works and eventually establish a meditation museum so that Moore could be memorialized. “It wouldn’t be like an immediate thing that you do this, this and this and finish. I think it will take some time as we roll out different things… We have plans to keep his memory alive and we will honour them,” he said.
Moore’s family said he never stated specifics about a funeral when he was alive instead he concentrated on the present, philosophizing that his body was temporary but it was his spirit that was important.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday commencing at 1 pm at the Liverpool Community Centre. He will be interred at the Auchlyne Cemetery on the Corentyne.
Moore died in his sleep last Sunday some time around 4.30 am at his Lancaster, Berbice home, which he shared with his son. He is remembered for the indelible contribution he made to the development of arts, in Guyana, especially sculpting and painting and is most recognized for the towering 1763 Monument at the Square of the Revolution, Georgetown.
