Michael Robinson, Gleaner Writer

'Justice League' by Natalie Barnes, the winner of the Viewers Vote Prize in this year's JCDC National Visual Arts Competition. - Photo by Michael Robinson

"This is Natalie Barnes," says her voicemail message, "most of the time."

Some of the time, at least, she's busy producing some of the most compelling and thought-provoking imagery to come out of Jamaica.

Barnes was awarded a silver medal by the jury in this year's Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) Annual Art Competition. Her entry, 'Justice League', also received the most votes from the viewing public to earn the Viewers Vote Prize. Although the medal recipients had already been denoted, the outcome of the public poll was unknown until the night of the award ceremony, held at the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ) last Sunday.

Gold medal

Natalie Barnes (left) receiving the Viewers Vote Prize trophy from Christopher Miller, project manager for the Tourism Enhancement Fund, in this year's JCDC National Visual Arts Competition, at the National Gallery of Jamaica last Sunday. - Contributed

Barnes has won a gold medal for a previous entry in 2006, but the Viewers Vote award, besides being a surprise, was an honour for the painter, who once vowed that if her work was to ever appear in the NGJ it would be something with a strong cultural message. "I've always felt that artists are public servants," opines Barnes, "and that one of my responsibilities is to document things visually for my country, my people and my children."

'Justice League' is a large oil painting depicting five familiar faces from Jamaica's political landscape of the last decade or so.

Bipartisan group

'Nina Simone' a portrait by Barnes. - Michael Robinson photo

The members of this bipartisan group are wearing superhero gear made popular by the characters in the DC comic book of the same name. The costumes of Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman and Robin, and J'onn J'onzz, aka Martian Manhunter, are visible beneath the clothing of these public servants in a 'secret identity' kind of way.

Barnes' excellent draughtsmanship imbues the image with an eerie realism. For their part, the members of her 'Justice League' have all the swagger and superhuman confidence of their comic book counterparts. Set against a historical backdrop of corruption, controversy and general immunity from prosecution, the painting is wryly cynical socio-political commentary at its finest. Needless to say, the piece has generated crowds and endless discussion ever since its unveiling.

"Images are powerful," says the painting's creator. "It's because of a painted image why so many people believe that Jesus is a white man. If one image can affect the world in such a significant way, then others can, too. The level I want to get to is where I'm able to paint powerful black images that will make a difference, images that will be recorded in the history books."

If the public reaction to 'Justice League' is anything to go by, then Barnes has already begun to realise her vision. At home - some of the time - the mother of two is an amateur gardener. She finds gardening rejuvenate. "This is where all my energy is," offers Barnes. "Sometimes I come and sleep out here." Her lush garden, just over a year old, clearly holds a special place in her life. Tending it is part of her morning routine, right after exercise and just before getting the kids ready for the day.

Motherly love

Three-leaf clovers, anthuriums, cacti and orchids sit happily under a tent she rented from a neighbour for the hot summer months. Neighbours, says Natalie, even give her their plants to bring back to life. "There's always at least two or three in here that I'm tending for somebody else," she talks about the plants with the casual tenderness of motherly love.

Although untrained as a gardener, she 'grew up in a garden' tended by her grandmother. Her knowledge of flora and understanding of the needs of each plant are intuitive. "When you're working a painting, each level or layer requires a different level of sensitivity," Barnes says. "It's the same way with your garden - each plant requires a different level of sensitivity - and the same with relationships. In relationships, you can't just bunch people together and treat them the same way, everybody requires something different."

'Kinetic person'

'The Light That Gives Life To My Form: The Reality' won Barnes a gold medal in the 2006 JCDC National Visual Arts Competition. - Contributed

A self-described 'kinetic person' who paints mostly at night, she prefers painting in oil. "There's a richness to the oil that I really like," she says. "The oils force you to develop your technique because it's difficult to work with oils and not get (the colours) muddy, especially when you're getting into serious colour mixing. So, the oil gives me more of a challenge."

Natalie was certain at eight years old that art was what she wanted to do with her life. Over time, she has developed a close relationship with her natural abilities while honing the craft. She says art functions like her therapist. "Whatever it is I'm going through, I'm able to work it out through this medium," she shares, "particularly through paint. When I paint, I feel like everything is going to be all right, like I can make a bad situation OK."

This is Natalie Barnes most of the time. But all of the time this multifaceted artist understands the pricelessness of her given talents and the responsibility that comes with them. Art, she believes, can change the world. "Not all our cultural ambassadors are doing it in a positive way," says Barnes, "and we really need positive role models.

"I genuinely believe (art is) a gift, and what's the purpose of a gift if you're not going to use it to contribute in a significant way to mankind?"