Photos by Lennox Quallo
Carl Abrahams' 'As Time goes by'.
Anthea McGibbon, Gleaner Writer
WATCH OUT! Pat Ramsay, the University of Technology's director of art and culture, is on the prowl for the best of Jamaica's art and culture. Recently, as curator, she hung works by five artists in 'A Celebration of Art' exhibition, sponsored by Scotia's Private Client Group in the Devonshire.
Choosing Michael Layne, Alexander Cooper, Carol Campbell and Keriena Chang Fatt, in addition to a retrospective of Carl Abrahams, was the responsibility of a select team from the Scotia Private Client Group (SPCG).
SPCG is set up to serve the needs of the bank's top tier clientele.
Two SPCG services at this level are customised financial planning through the development of integrated solutions and an assigned relationship manager who is dedicated and focused on the client's financial goals and performance.
Art collectors
Exposing varied art forms, the annual 'Celebration of Art' is done in recognition that members of the SPCG are avid art collectors.
An added dimension to this year's show is the offering of a grant to a young and upcoming local artist to assist in the development of Jamaica's art industry.
Keynote speaker Jeff Cobham, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) chairman, was firm in his belief that "we, as corporate Jamaica, owe it to Jamaica to identify one talent per year and support him or her". He warned against the continued habit of Jamaicans to "take it for granted that we can turn out a dozen good artists per year". This, he said, was in ignorance of the sacrifices made by artists, and the meagre means with which the EMCVPA has had to work with to produce quality graduates.
Exhibitor Keriena Chang Fatt, recent graduate of the EMCVPA, the 2007 Super Plus 40 Artist of the Year, is the first recipient. She was given $150,000.
According to SPCG General Manager Bridgette Lewis, in addition to the Carl Abrahams retrospective, the four artists, including master painter Alexander Cooper, "were chosen for their impact on society". Their media ranged from ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, painting to sculpture.
Signature style
Michael Layne celebrated with pieces in his popularised signature style surface patterns from Jamaica's flora and fauna, with the added value of earth-tone colours highlighting the dark areas in his subjects. 'Touch of Nature' is among his pieces which he used to connect the viewers with the variety of trees found in Jamaica, as he attracted attention to the varied textures of local wood. 'The Ceremonial Teapot' takes us through Jamaica's history as far back as our colonial past.
Carol Campbell describes, according to the brochure, the jewellery-making process as "creating beautiful, functional form that excites the eye and engages the mind", and exciting the viewers is what she did. Her pieces, in particular the pendants, necklaces and brooches from sterling had some appeal. Though without any dynamism in design or style, her pieces served to confirm her abilities to create immaculately finished miniature sculptures from her chosen material.
Master painter Alexander Cooper's works stirred much reaction and rightfully so, as they continued to underline the events and life of high-spirited Jamaicans. Carl Abrahams, too, captured the many moods and characteristics of Jamaicans.
Cooper's exhibited scenes were interactive and viewers were immersed in the events they identified with, even as they were amused. He had on display a number of old church buildings such as Lyndhurst Methodist, Portland Chapel and North Street Methodist.
Spirituality and sex
Noting significant places of worship, he then spoke of two significant passions of Jamaicans: spirituality and sex.
In one of the stronger pieces 'Crusade Two', its obvious where Cooper's focus was during the hour of prayer. Almost every attitude displayed at church was registered in this outdoor tent service.
In 'City Mission', a group of churchgoers dressed like Pocomanians rush from a countryside church building to start a rally walk. Some of them are already 'in the spirit' on the way to cast out the living demons from within the community. Beside this depiction was a pompous churchwoman, with Bible held tightly to her bosom. Her dress is neatly defined and her head heavily wrapped in a head tie as she pulls a young girl along for the sermon. Cooper's application of paint is consistently rich, giving additional energy to the works.
Cooper's elongated stroke style is transformed to his depiction of a few subjects, but not at the expense of recognising his signature style. In
'Lovers 1 & 2' and 'Graduation', Cooper prolongs his figures until they are too slender to ignore. However, we can't get enough of the passions as we are brought through these two viewer favourites. In 'Lovers 1,' Cooper depicts an elongated man wrapped around a woman wearing red, while in the semi-abstract 'Lovers 2', the two figures, exaggerated vertically, are entwined horizontally.
In the 'Illustrious Grand', the priestly figure is exaggerated horizontally.
Fitting blanket
Carl Abrahams' retrospective was a fitting blanket to enclose the memoir of the 'Celebration of Art'. Mounted Abrahams selections ranged from his onstage comical relief to religious subjects. His representation of 'Adam and Eve' was easily recognisable. There was also a poster briefing on Abrahams.
On it, Dr. Boxer's comments likening the earlier master's vision to Picasso, Bosch and Goyes, as he operated on 'many levels' and filled in viewers to the prolific mind of Abrahams.
Kereina Chang Fatt's space was occupied by both her prints and her installations, a continuation of her exploration of relationships as they progress from unending challenges. Her 'Investigation' and 'Progression' series were more thought out and a better presentation of her passions for her theme.
Overall, the impromptu placements of works by a few artists in the space of the others could have been better thought through to reduce the slight discomfort. Nonetheless, it was a good cause to celebrate.
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.
