Cultural Icon and band leader of the costume band Owen Ralph & the Professionals Ralph – has passed.
In a release – the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) and its components – The Carnival Bands Incorporated (CBI) – the Youlou Pan Movement (YPM) and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Calypso Association expressed sadness at the passing of Mr. Ralph.
The CDC said Mr. Ralph was a noted wire bender – an artist and designer of excellence – who devoted his time to the promotion of Culture and Arts as a painter – a sign painter by trade and a sculptor – arguable the nation’s best at molding faces and figures.
According to the CDC Mr. Ralph was also a Panist and is best remembered for his participation in solo Tenor Pan Competition.
Mr. Ralph was acknowledged by the CDC in 2013 for his contribution towards carnival culture – during the 50th anniversary of the Band of the Year competition and in 2017 by the Youlou Arts Foundation for his work as an artist and designer.
