Water is the key to life...a constant thirst that must be quenched

"Drinking water from a standpipe"

acrylic on canvas

30 inches x 24 inches

©ROCHFORD 2012

"A natural spring on Morne Coco Road"

acrylic on canvas

30 inches x 24 inches

©ROCHFORD 2012

I was invited by the Royal Bank of Canada, Trinidad, to paint in their Maraval Branch all day on June 8, 2012. This was part of RBC’s global initiative The Blue Water Project.

Easy access to clean water should never be taken for granted. The theme of my paintings for RBC’s Blue Water Project Day on June 8th, 2012 was,

“Water is the key to life…a constant thirst that must be quenched.”

Two, acrylic on canvas paintings, both measuring 30 inches x 24 inches, were painted on site on Friday June 8, 2012, at the Maraval Branch, Royal Bank Of Canada, Trinidad. W.I.

1. “Drinking water from a standpipe”
 
2. “A natural spring on the Morne Coco Road”

These paintings will be on display at the branch for approximately the next four weeks.


Rachel Amy Rochford’s Artist Statement for RBC’s Blue Water Project.

“Why should we care about water?”

Water is the most essential element that is needed to sustain all life forms. It is said, that at present, less than 1% of the fresh water on earth, is available for use by all living things.

Will there always be enough fresh water for the ever expanding population? Trinidad and Tobago is fortunate that there is a consistent effort by the government to ensure that clean water is provided to the various communities in both islands. The Water and Sewage Authority (WASA) has stated that, “92% of the 1-3 million inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago currently have access to safe drinking water.” The supply of pipe borne, clean water in many parts of Trinidad and Tobago however is still infrequent. Leaving some residents to rely on rain collection to fill their household water tanks and barrels, weekly deliveries of truck borne potable water or tote water daily from the village stand pipe to their home.

Pollution of the environment is a major factor affecting the availability of clean, disease free water to many communities worldwide. Water conservation measures are continually being taught and new ideas developed in order to maintain a balance in the ecosystem. In 2010 and 2011 due to changing climate and reduced rainfall, some of WASA’s water treatment plants and reservoirs in Trinidad, such as Caroni, Navet, North Oropouche, Freeport and Hollis, that supply fresh water to the country, ran low on water. Conservation measures were strictly encouraged, including a media campaign to educate citizens on various conservation tips, such as a nationwide ban on the use of garden hoses.

Easy access to clean water should never be taken for granted. The theme of my paintings for RBC’s Blue Water Project Day on June 8th, 2012 was,

“Water is the key to life…a constant thirst that must be quenched.”


Rachel Amy Rochford
June 8th, 2012