Photos by Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
LEFT: Work by Edna Manley, National Gallery. RIGHT: 'Man Arisen' by Christopher Gonzales, National Gallery.

Anthea McGibbon, Gleaner Writer

As the air thickens with the highlights of our culture, there is more to be learnt through the visual arts. Located in the Kingston Mall, the National Gallery displays visual expressions in paintings, drawings, sculpture, installation art, photography and ceramics on Ocean Boulevard.

The gallery's main function is as a depository of the fine and visual arts of the country, the maintainance of the country's 'National Art Collection' and the exhibition of the same as well as temporary exhibitions that elucidate some aspect of the country's art history. Chief curator, David Boxer, explains that there are 10 principal collections being housed on 30,000 square feet of property.

The Pre-20th Century Gallery

In this gallery, art dates back to the British Colonial, Spanish and Taino periods the work is mostly Jamaican, there is some work from other Caribbean artists, notably Agostino Brunias, a popular nineteenth century artist who is thought never to have visited Jamaica.

The 20th century and 21st century

This extensive core collection covers major artists of the modern era: Albert Huie, Alvin Marriott, Pottinger, Alexander Cooper, Karl Parboosingh, Carl Abrahams, are a few names here. Dating back to the entry of Edna Manley on the Jamaican art scene in 1922, it comprises sculptures, paintings, and drawings of the 20th century. It also puts into perspective the often overlooked factor that several of Jamaica's established artists worked through different periods of Jamaica's art. Acquisitions of young artists, often through the Young Talent series and Biennial Purchase awards, keep the collection current.

The Larry Wirth Collection of Kapo, highlighting Intuitive Master Kapo, acquired in the early '80s after the collector's death.

The A.D. Scott Collection focusing primarily on Jamaican art between the 1950s and 1970s.

The Aaron and Marjorie Matalon Collection covering all periods.

In the Cecil Baugh Gallery various ceramic artists are displayed, but with Baugh as the key ceramicist.

Photography Collection

Still being developed the works date back to the 'Father of Jamaican Photography', Adolphe Duperly. Younger artists such as Michael Chambers and Donnette Zacca, as well as 'modern' masters like Albert Chong, Maria LaYacona and Cecil Ward are represented.

Edna Manley Memorial Collection highlighting the 7-decade art career of Edna Manley, which earned her the reputation as the 'Mother of Jamaican' art for many.

International Gallery, a small collection, highlighting British art with works by Chadwick, Duncan Grant and Wyndham among others, along with diaspora artists from the Caribbean and the United States.

The newly established Colin Garland Commemorative Collection by the late Surrealist master.

Art forms such as fashion and jewellery are not yet collected, but the possibility of a collection of architecture and design is being examined.

Space shortage is a major problem faced, resulting in many collections being confined to storage.

There has been criticism that a greatnumber of artists have not been represented, and that seemingly there is a lack of proper promotion for the more established and foundational artists, emphasising the 'art ambassadors' internationally. On the contrary, Boxer says "I feel that the National Gallery has embraced all approaches in a philosophy of 'inclusiveness'. We thus show all types of art, so long as a certain standard is maintained.

"In the last Biennial, there were ninety-seven artists, and the Intuitives III show examined the work of nearly fifty Intuitives. works are selected by a panel of qualified judges, therefore artists should examine their work and their motives for creating work rather than grouse about judging procedures."

Boxer denies charges that he has promoted himself at the expense of exposure for other artists, pointing out that he is one among a panel of seven judges at biennials. "Most decisions about my own work as an artist are made by other curators." He says he has shunned awards for personal work, but accepted only those for his work at the National Gallery. Claiming that in the past 20 years he has held private shows in his home, he added that "Last year I held a semi-public showing at Seaview Fine Art, independent of the National Gallery."

The main roles of the curator are education, preservation and documentation. There is therefore special emphasis on projects such as the guided tours, the catalogue production, and newly implemented workshops for teachers (a project of Dr. Jonathan Greenland) and the facilitation of research for students at all levels. Any student can visit the gallery's reading room to glean information on Jamaica's art through the years, that is, as published in the press or as catalogued by the National Gallery. There is also a gift shop where collectible books and prints are among the main offerings.

200 inherited paintings and drawings

In 1974, the gallery took over the art collecting and exhibitions function of the Institute of Jamaica, beginning with the 200 inherited paintings and drawings and approximately 60 sculptures and limited staff, with Boxer as curator and chief administrator. The gallery, whose first location was at Devon House, is awaiting removal to a larger and more permanent building.

Ardent research and effective lobbying by gallery staff, headed by Boxer, resulted in a collection of approximately 2,000 works spanning over 1,000 years, with special emphasis on the formative years of Jamaica's art in the 1920s through to 2000.

Memorable exhibitions

Exhibitions held have been thematic, historic and retrospective. Memorable exhibitions have included a focus on key players in Jamaica's art history with retrospectives so far devoted to: Dunkley, Parboosingh, Carl Abrahams, Manley, Albert Huie, Cecil Baugh, LaYacona, Pottinger, Lester, Eugene Hyde, Kapo, Everald Brown and others, while all the major artists have featured in many of the over 80 exhibitions mounted by the National Gallery. Barrington Watson recently had a one man showing of his cricket paintings. Retrospectives are in preparation for Osmond Watson and Gloria Escoffery.

The gallery is still understaffed. For example, it lacks a public relations officer, conservator and exhibition designer, and curators assigned to education and other curatorial functions.

As executive director, Dr. Greenland has responsibilities for administration and business operations, including fund-raising, a key element for the gallery.

A major fund-raising thrust of the gallery's earlier years had been the annual art fair, which on one occasion was visited by approximately 6,000 patrons.

At the helm of the gallery is a board whose members have been appointed by the Minister of Tourism, who currently is Honourable Aloun Assamba.

Key players in the gallery's inception included Maurice Facey, the first chairman; the late Michael Manley, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Jean Smith, once director of culture; Vera Hyatt and John Maxwell, the second chairman. In later years, beginning with Rosalie Smith-Mcrea, other curators like Veerle Poupeye have been of tremendous importance.

Normadelle Whittle established 'Art on The Waterfront' summer programme. Aaron Matalon, the third chairman, was highly influential in collections development, fund-raising and in the development of the art fair. His donation of over 200 important works is the largest gift ever to the gallery.

Major contributions to the country have been the documentation and lobbying of the History of Art and artists and development of the collection of the same.

The gallery is now collaborating with Yale University in the staging of the first major international showing of historic Jamaican art. To commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade, Yale will be presenting an 'Age of Belisario' exhibition looking at art and emancipation in the period. Belisario is the first known Jamaican artist famous for his depictions of early Jonkunnu revellers. Boxer, along with Poupeye, were responsible for the approximately 22 Jamaican entries in the Grove Dictionary of Art, the major reference book on art in the world.

There has been a satellite gallery at Island Village, and in recent times newly forged relationships with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Anthea McGibbon, a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, has over 10 years experience in the fields of journalism and the arts. Contact her at islandartattack@yahoo.co.uk or anthea.mcgibbon@gleanerjm.com