In the ART OF JAMAICA in 2018

AROUND JA WITH PAUL H

JAMAICA IS a like a pretty, little picture, full of dazzling sunrises and sunsets, sparkling waterfalls, jagged headlands against which foamy waves crash, dreamlike skyscapes, misty valleys, foggy mountaintops, breathtaking seascapes, sun-drenched beaches, verdant hills and luxuriant forests.

Add to those gifts of nature are vistas of idyllic fishing villages, quaint little houses, crumbling ruins, country yards full of animals, bridges arching over gaping gullies and gorges, black pots over wood fire, bustling marketplaces, busy bucolic town squares, ageing church buildings, etc.

And in this beautiful picture of woods, rocks and water are people who are capturing it all on canvas and digital cameras. In the art of Jamaica are images that tell the story of who we are as a people, and the artistic talents that abound on the rock, and last year, in my journeys around the country, I saw a lot of art.

There were many fairs and exhibitions, and gallery visits. I came away from each feeling very enriched. It is not just about the concepts and the execution thereof, but the narratives that they tell. Check out Mark Bell’s pieces. He

brought on the nostalgia with his images of Jamaican rural life in a very engaging style.

I stumbled upon Michael Clarke’s gallery in Ocho Rios in November and it was such a pleasant happenstance. His brilliant and colourful depictions of Jamaica’s flora and fauna, and nature scenes, brought me so much joy. The underwater scenery and that of the egrets by the swamp cannot leave my mind.

And while there are many sculptors in the scheme of thing, the sculpting sector was made richer with the emergence of intuitive artists such as Kavim Deer, whose Afrocentric pieces provoke discussions and reflections. He has been painting Afrocentric stories for sometime, but it is his thought-provoking wood sculptures that might have catapulted him right into the ‘art’ of Jamaica.

Deer and many others benefited from ‘chasing and repousse’ workshops hosted by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation. Chasing and repousse is a form of sculpture in which etchings are made into metal sheets to create images. It is an ancient African artform that is having a resurgence by noted Nigerian artist Alao Laqman, who is currently a cultural diplomat in Jamaica through the Nigerian High Commission. This technique is a new and exciting addition to the landscape, and I have seen pieces at about four events I have been to.

Another artist who is using sculpting to depict life in Jamaica is Devon Garcia. His wood relief wall plaques achieved through chiselling are really eye-catching and memorable. I particularly like the etchings of the three schoolgirls in blue uniform. Their facial expressions I have seen many times before, and now Garcia has immortalised them in wood.

One of the biggest art events of the year was the 8th Annual Jamaica Art Odyssey. Held from Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 23, it was a composite of exhibitions, workshops and lectures, and an inaugural masquerade cocktail party, for which I designed and wore a mask made from natural material.

RECLAIMING ROOTS

Dr Bryan McFarlane, who himself had a well-attended solo show inside Olympia Gallery in Papine, St Andrew, was the guest speaker at Jamaica Art Odyssey. The Moore Town Maroon and internationally acclaimed, awardwinning artist/art educator spoke about ‘reclaiming ancestral roots’ through art, and the extent to which African art influenced European art.

But in all of my journeys on the art landscape in Jamaica in 2018, the most gratifying moment was when Phillip ‘Ambokele’ Henry presented me with a portrait of myself in late December. It is my first-ever drawn portrait and to have it done by Ambokele is an honour. I will forever cherish it. Ambokele, one of Jamaica’s wellknown artists, is a Portland resident who is prolific in the art of Jamaica.

And talking about Portland, a few days before, I happen to take a sort of hike in the bush near Boston. It was a nice workout, except for the jagged rocks upon which I trodded. At one point, I saw some milk-like substance on bright green leaves. The contrast was artistic. When I asked what the substance was, I was told it was John Crow droppings. It is going to be a great 2019 in the art of Jamaica.

Devon Garcia’s chiselled relief wall plaques depicting aspects of Jamaican life. Phillip ‘Ambokele’ Hospitality Henry’s portrait Jamaica of writer.

Nigerian cultural diplomat Alao Luqman stands beside artwork done by students he had taught in workshops run by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation.

Howard Moo Young discussing his work with patrons at the Antiques and Collectibles Fair in November 2018. Fusion artist Mazola is a fixture in the Jamaican art landscape.

Some of Mark Bell’s nostalgic depiction of Jamaican lifestyles. A mesmerising river scene by Ocho Rios artist Michael Clarke.