Brian Mac Farlane

Brian Mac Farlane (born 1957) is a Trinidadian artist, known for his work for the Trinidad Carnival, an occupation known as a "Mas Man" in Trinidad and Tobago.

Early life Brian Mac Farlane was born in 1957. His father was from Trinidad and his mother from Barbados. Mac Farlane grew up in Petit Valley, a suburb of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. He had frequent illness as a child due to an abnormal immune system and as a result he often struggled in school, and was also diagnosed with dyslexia during his childhood.

At the age of 15, Mac Farlane left school and began to work for the "Mas Man" and costume designer Raoul Garib. He mounted large installations in malls during the Christmas season which allowed him to become more well known in the community.

In the year 2000, Mac Farlane received attention for a Junior Queen costume that he designed for Rosalind Gabriel entitled, " Exodus the Power and the Glory".

Mac Farlane has previously stated that one of his main goals as a modern Mas' man is to preserve the tradition and true spirit of Mas' in Trinidad. Similar to one of his role models Peter Minshall, his work emphasizes creativity and theatricality. Mac Farlane often uses his Mas' themes to make social or political statements on the state of his country and the world.

Work outside Carnival

Designed and produced theatrical production: " Miracle at Stollmeyers's" (1993, Trinidad and Tobago) Designed and managed function hosting Colonel Powell and later Rudolph W. Giuliani (1998, Trinidad and Tobago) Designed Coronation ball for Miss Universe Competition (1999, Trinidad and Tobago) Designed and managed the opening ceremony for the 5th Annual International Conference of Gas and Energy Producing Nations (1999, Trinidad and Tobago) Designed décor and coordinated a theatrical presentation for the official opening ceremony of the National Library (NALIS) (2003, Trinidad and Tobago) Organized and event managed the red carpet ceremony honoring Trinidadian Cricket Player Brian Lara (2006, Trinidad and Tobago) Designed a tourism theme park (2006, Trinidad and Tobago) Designed a cultural presentation for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Summit of the Americas (2008, Port of Spain) Designed the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (2008, Port of Spain) Designed Club Extreme in Barbados Designed and managed the launch of international resort Le Paradise (St. Lucia) Is currently Designing and choreographing a Cultural presentation for the opening 2012 Cultural Olympiad (2012, London)

Philanthropy Mac Farlane has donated his designs to various charities in Trinidad and Tobago. He remodelled and refurbished the Living Water Hospice. In March 2012, Mac Farlane began to refurbish the Living Water Mercy House, a home for people living with HIV and AIDS.