Malcolm de Chazal produced in his life an abundant artistic treasure, some of which we would like to share with you.
He was to some a genius, to others a saint and to most a great artist and writer.
In these few pages you will find little bits and pieces about him collected by a few of the many people who loved and admired him during his long life.
For a catalogue of the works currently for sale please go to the following link ; http://www.malcolmdechazal.info
Here is a Personal viewpoint .
Chazal was a difficult and secretive character. Anecdotes both true and untrue circulated about him, a fact which he disliked. His idiosyncrasies were more developed than with most people and contributed in the Mauritian context to having been characterised as strange. Complex and hypersensitive he had developed a defense mechanism which he defined as 'The circumcision of the heart' and which for practical purposes consisted of systematically breaking with his relatives and friends. He implacably isolated himself from people he suspected of challenging him on his moral high ground and from those who disturbed the current of his inner mind, often accomplishing this by what appeared to be unreasonable rudeness.
He considered the island of Mauritius to be his private property( and as his wife), including the people. He adored children and animals .
His temper was short lived, his whims extraordinary. He could be most unpredictable. Generous .He always circulated with money in his pocket although he had very little . He dressed either impeccably or walked about in the same sports jacket and grey flannel trousers in which he had been seen for years carrying a straw basket called a 'tante' which was his constant companion.
His relationships with people often broke as he said 'over the point of a needle' as he was particularly touchy nor would he venture into a social atmosphere which prevented or cramped his immense creative energy.
Deeply religious according to his own spiritual values, he was vehemently anti-clerical.
Politically he was to the left but not communist and called himself the only white in the labour party.
He hated mediocrity ,and the bourgeoisie both individually and as a class.
