Coinciding with celebrations for the 60th anniversary of Jamaica gaining independence from the UK, a private collection of artwork will be exhibited in Liverpool.
Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection features over 30 artworks from the extensive private collection of Jamaican entrepreneur and philanthropist Theresa Roberts.
Taking place at University of Liverpool's (UoL) Victoria Museum and Gallery (VGM) from February 19 to July 9, organisers say it offers a comprehensive presentation of the best of Jamaican art since the 1960s.
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The exhibition, the first entirely of Jamaican art to take place in the North West of England, features a mix of established names and emerging talent in painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media.
It includes members of the Watson dynasty, beginning with Barrington, described as ‘the defining Jamaican artist of the post-Independence period’, his sons Basil and Raymond and grandson Kai.
Women artists are strongly represented including Laura Facey Cooper, Ebony Patterson and Kristina Rowe.
Dr Emma Roberts of LJMU told the ECHO : "I’m honoured to be curator of the Jamaica Making exhibition, a selection of works from the collection of Jamaican businesswoman Theresa Roberts.
"The exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of key artists in Jamaican art since Independence and celebrates their important contributions”.
Theresa Roberts, is the founder and owner of the Jamaican Patty Co. based in Covent Garden.
Theresa, who left Jamaica aged eight, began her carefully curated collection to stay connected to her childhood while in London, began collecting works by the ‘greats’ of the Jamaican art world, later focusing on up and coming artists.
Theresa has a home on the island where she hosts annual residencies for the Royal Drawing School.
Theresa said: "I had what I describe as an ‘organic’ childhood, very simple and natural.
"One of the first pieces of Jamaican art I saw was of children selling mangoes by the roadside.
“I used to do exactly that.”
Curator of Art & Exhibition at the VGM Dr Amanda Draper said: "We’re excited to present this unique collection of Jamaican contemporary art to audiences.
“It reveals Jamaica’s vibrant culture and gives the rare opportunity to see the private art collection of an inspiring patron and philanthropist".
Complementing the exhibition is `Retention of a Colonial Past’, a contemporary textile installation by Jamaican artist Desanna Watson who will be artist in residence from February 6 until March 9.
One work is so huge its being displayed on the ground floor of a satellite site at the John Lennon Art & Design Building of LJMU and uses stitch, appliqué and quilting to replicate the contours of Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, depicting historical periods of power regimes that have been imposed on the city.
Desanna will run community workshops illuminating themes of the exhibition. One will take place at the Caribbean Centre, in Toxteth, from 4 - 8pm on February 18.
About experiencing therapeutic counselling, Desanna said: "I remember the best parts were the art activities.
"Art was a way to communicate emotions and ideas far beyond my limited vocabulary at the time.
"My mother recognised I found power and healing through art and this has since been my consistent motivator to create".
The Rt. Hon. Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica said: "It's a wonderful privilege to join that shining star of Jamaica, Theresa Roberts, and her husband, Andrew and to have been asked to open the exhibition showcasing Jamaican art depicting our people, culture and experiences over our 60 years of independence".
Dr Roberts edited and wrote the main essay of a book that also acts as a catalogue for the exhibition, including an essay by Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, and others.
For information visit: VGM and LJMU websites and www.art-jamaica.org
