Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Jennifer Lim - photo by Denise Reid

Dears, there are a few people around who have found the knack of transforming their passion/hobbies from mere self-indulgent pastimes into high-profile multimillion-dollar businesses. Their success lie in the ability to stay above the fray and single-mindedly maintain a focus. They ignore naysayers, as they seek no one's approval to continue their quest in finding fulfilment.

The illustrious Kenny Benjamin of the Guardsman Group of Companies is an example of one individual parlaying his love of animals and the environment into a multimillion-dollar business venture. It had its humble genesis here in the Jamaica, and now more than 30 years later it has expanded into the Caribbean.

opportunity

Benjamin's success came as a result of his ability to recognise opportunity when she came a-calling. The Guardsman Group is now 7,000 and spans electronic security, guards, tourism interest and a fast real estate portfolio.

Following Benjamin's example of transforming a hobby into a multimillion-dollar business is art collector extraordinaire Wallace Campbell.

Known and celebrated, the world over as the Caribbean's foremost art collector and the region's leading authority on art and artists, Campbell is the former owner of a successful chain of supermarkets. He gave up the business of retail-merchandising (and some thought) for a life of retirement and enjoying his awesome collection. He is now quietly emerging as the nation's foremost art dealer and exhibitor. His acquisition of the landmark home of the historic figure, the late Burnett Webster, proved fortuitous, in that it now houses Campbell's collection and serves as a private art gallery showcasing the works of leading and up-and-coming artists.

Just when Campbell started his collection is a matter of debate. Without any doubt, however, it spans several decades. Not only is it the single largest private collection of Caribbean art, it includes the works of every Caribbean artist of note, and many a Central and South American master to boot!

innumerable pieces

Dears, we are talking one absolutely massive collection here, that some say is so large, it is still being documented, despite years of trying to accomplish this feat. And little wonder, as we are talking innumerable pieces of religious iconography, etchings, and paintings.

After years of collecting and with many colleagues or business associates always seeking to draw from his wealth of experience in starting collections of their own, Campbell has decided on sharing his intuitive know-how with his friends and colleagues, and also decided on sharing some pieces from his vast collection by offering them up for sale. This took place at his Seaview Fine Arts Gallery, on Seaview Avenue, in the golden triangle, St Andrew, on Thursday August 21, before a critically hand-picked shortlist of art lovers, collectors, scholars, patrons and leading members of the art community.

Luvs, with the works of Carl Abrahams, David Boxer, Colin Garland, Milton George, Albert Huie, Karl Parboosingh, David Pottinger, Barrington Watson, Osmond Watson and Burnett Webster on offer under the theme 'Ten Contemporary Masters', y'all know we are talking an offering of the finest contemporary painters here. The addition of Burnett Webster's handcrafted furniture adding that sense of true contemporary insouciance to the offering.

Burnett Webster was known for his collaboration with Alvin Marriott and his association with Edna Manley. He is generally regarded as the father of the art deco movement, (circa 1940s), his designs having consistently appeared in the early exhibitions of the National Gallery, and to date is the sole designer credited with a full retrospective at the National Gallery (2002).

creative ingenuity

And so it was, with pieces of Webster's creative ingenuity and the vibrant brush strokes of nine of Jamaica's most celebrated painters on offering, y'all know that this was most definitely not amateur hour!

What it was, however, was a truly inspiring showcase of the awesome talent that is the legacy of some of the island's leading painters, their work capturing the boundless energy and unique character of the Jamaican physique.

The pieces included: 'Flower Vendor', Osmond Watson, 1970; the beauty of the landscape, Carl Abrahams, 'Boats', 1972; the flights of fantasy of Colin Garland as mirrored in 'Sable Venus' and his unnerving portraiture as captured in 'Ohomer' and his untitled (centenarian); David Boxer's 'Judas and Head' (in memory of Edna Manley).

national treasure

If anything. the current show at the Seaview Fine Arts Gallery provides adequate testimony to the fact that the art amassed by Campbell over the years is a national treasure, and should be treated as such. In this respect, its current home is wholly and totally an inadequate location to house such an invaluable a national treasure.

Among those out viewing the show during lunchtime last Tuesday were: A.B. 'Tony' Lindo; socialite Jennifer Lim, just back from partying in the Hamptons, Bel Air and Santa Barbara; businessman Francis Delgado; the charming Kathy Gibbons; Ingrid Noble; and the effervescent V.J. Harrelson.

Art collector Wallace Campbell (left) and auctioneer William Tavares-Finson.- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Lindo