Island Finds
A Grenada artist creates spice-inspired crafts.
IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO GRENADA, THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN COUNTRY also known as the Isle of Spice, you know that there’s one aromatic ingredient that’s particularly prevalent. Here, nutmeg — the round aromatic seed of Myristica fragrans — flavors jams, jellies, and liqueurs; is sold by the basketful in the market; and even shows up in soaps and chocolate.
Nutmeg is also a leitmotif in the work of Jessie-Ann Jessamy, a local textile artist and painter affectionately known as The Nutmeg Lady. We caught up with the creative dynamo at her Grand Anse atelier to find out more about her spice- centered craft.
The Seed Is Planted: “I’m a fine artist who dabbles in anthropology, and I majored in Fine Arts and Carnival Studies at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. For my final exhibition I came up with the idea of using the nutmeg, which is such a national icon, as a way to explore Grenadian history and culture as well as my own rural background. I grew up on a farm and people used to call me ‘Spice Girl,’ so it felt like a natural progression!”
From School to Sand: “I wanted to avoid stereotypical island imagery such as palm trees, and to find a way to make the nutmeg an equally appealing print motif. First, I created a nutmeg-based toile, incorporating typical scenes from a Grenadian nutmeg processing plant. And then I explored the nutmeg’s color, texture, and history in more graphic designs. At my final exhibition, both were well received, so when I left university, I decided to do some test marketing. A friend helped me make some simple tote bags and wraps and we took them down to the beach to see if any tourists would be interested in buying. We sold out in a day! So it really didn’t matter that people teased me about going to university to become a beach vendor; visitors loved my work!”
The Creative Spark: “I’m inspired by Caribbean life. But not necessarily the way foreigners see island life; I’m specifically interested in reflecting life the way locals live it. I like to incorporate into my work everyday, commonplace things, the beauty of which is often overlooked because we see them all the time. I want to show modern Grenadian life and all the pride and ambition that go with it. So instead of just a literal representation, I play with graphic elements of the seed. A nutmeg station is brown, dark, and, honestly, quite dirty; so there are so many more ways to represent it than just with primary colors.”
Then and Now: “First I started with a small gift shop within the nutmeg station at Concord. And then, for several years, I had a store in Spiceland Mall. But I wanted my own place, to be independent, and to invest in myself. So four years ago I bought some land, purchased a 40-foot shipping container and converted it into a store. It’s fashioned to look like a nutmeg processing station, with high ceilings and big windows and a mezzanine floor and enough space for my screenprinting equipment as well as a shop. Now they call me the Container Lady, too!”
’ Meg and More: “Today I have about 100 screen prints, featuring not just nutmeg but also breadfruit, sea grapes, and other local botanicals, as well as nautical imagery. We make cushions and cushion covers; scarves and wraps; tote bags and stationery. We sell fabric by the yard; upholstery; key rings; and women’s dresses, aprons, and tops. And this year we’re debuting a line of enamel plates, bowls, and mugs. I also design product lines and do screen printing for other companies, and I’m interested in getting into interior design and making custom prints for resorts. But whatever I’m doing, all my work is steeped in elements of local culture; it’s distinctly Grenadian.”