The artistic community is mourning the loss of acclaimed visual artist, graphic designer, and muralist Zinnia Li, formerly known as Darren Cheewah.
News of Li’s passing sent shockwaves through the creative sector yesterday, with tributes pouring in across social media platforms.
Li’s body was discovered earlier this week at her apartment in St James. While the exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, the Express understands that she had been deceased for at least a day before being found. The Express also understands that Cheewah had been suffering from seizures. Her body was found by her landlord.
Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago President Keiba Jacob Mottley, who spoke with the Express via phone yesterday, said Li’s life was a demonstration of the importance of freedom of artistic expression. “Her art work in the form of tattoos, paintings and murals have created a lasting legacy for her family, friends and the visual arts community. On behalf of the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, we extend our condolences to her family and her friends and loved ones,” Jacob Mottley said.
Journalist Sterling Henderson, who shared a close friendship with Cheewah, described her as one of this country’s prolific artists. Referring to Cheewah, Henderson said, “She was a tenant of stalwart designer Ronald Guy James at 3 Mathura Street, St James. She rented a studio apartment on the same compound of Ronald’s”.
He added, “She has done major art work in this country. Apart from his personal choices, I think that her contribution needs to be acknowledged because for a generation, she represented local elements of celebrity”.
Henderson said Cheewah needed support. “Who is to say that her challenges in terms of her identity did not lead to her seizures? Who is to say that this is a consequence of societal boundaries? I just think that we are a fragile people and we respond to our environment, and if our environment is hard, then it takes a toll on us. I think anyone who is transgender in Trinidad and Tobago is struggling, because it’s not a welcoming environment”.
Darryn Dinesh Boodan in a Facebook post yesterday said that Cheewah was grounded and thoughtful. “Really sorry to hear about the passing of Zinnia. Before she transitioned, I knew her as Darren Cheewah. We worked together at CMB Advertising.”
Boodan further stated, “Years ago, I used to help writer Dave Williams and architect Terry Smith record a show called Indigrove at the old Alice Yard in Woodbrook. I still remember how open, thoughtful, and grounded that conversation was. Rest in peace, Zinnia.”
Sparkle Richards also posted a tribute to Cheewah via Facebook. She said their friendship brought her great pride and joy. “It was more than a friendship. I admired his (her) strength, even when it looked a lot like madness. I raised a brow at the miniskirts, and I reminded myself this was their life to lead. I am sorry that this is the end. I am hurt that I now know that all friends and friendships are not created equal. Until the next lifetime…thank you for being my friend.”
Designer/illustrator Warren Le Patte said the art community lost a great talent. Le Platte worked with Cheewah for a short time at Vox Magazine in the 2000’s. Le Platte said, “Their passing is definitely sad and unexpected. Even outside of the alleged drama and bacchanal, they were a great talent, and definitely someone I looked up to, especially back in the Vox days. I really wanted my art to look like the stuff they produced because I looked up to them as a creative.”
Illustrator James Hackett described Li as a brilliant designer/artist. “We were at the Express in the Vox days. He was one of the illustrators there; we kind of intertwined over the years as creative illustrators doing that type of stuff. His illustrator style was like no other. He had a very free-flowing way that he did his lines that kind of came from a lot of his tattoo work,” Hackett said.