(IN)Dependence...and I resumed the struggle (Dec. 2022)

Akeem Johnson

Camille Chedda

Demar Brackenridge

Greg Bailey

John Campbell

K. Khalfani Ra

Kimani Beckford

Matthew McCarthy

Michaela Garrick

Nicholas Rose

Rohmearo McFarlane

Simon Benjamin Storm Saulter

Tuesdae Stewart

Zorhia Allen

In our 60th year of Independence Jamaica has, in many ways, come a long way since the labour riots of the late 30s through to our political and social crescendos of the 70s and, worst yet, the blood bath of the 80s. Through these experiences the crafting of our institutions and laws have been a task that has been set before successive generations, on both sides of our political divide. While we have made strides in various aspects of the Jamaican project, there are still many gaps that are yet to be filled with functional solutions for the interface between state and citizenry. The post COVID era has left in its wake a disconnect between the delivery of state resources and the largely informal structures of the Jamaican citizenship. If it is true that “it takes cash to care”, as one former Prime Minister quipped, then how does the state deliver this “care” in a society that is largely inaccessible by our institutions, save and except for our political “silly seasons”?

This new phase of our Jamaican project is witnessing a grand reconstruction. As new public and private sector investments in hard and soft infrastructure, including the arts, are taking on various concerns, the Jamaican populace finds itself in a very delicate juncture of our socio-political history. From The attempt to shift from our traditional democratic processes, with the transformation of the Westminster parliamentary system, to a standard Democracy, through to the restructuring of the concepts of the public sector, we are clearly in for an all-consuming overhaul.

How should art function in this grand correction?... No doubt, the changing of the Crown, a new reorganization of Europe, and the latest sojourn into the continent of Africa has affected the polarities of power over the last century. Much of the art world, on either side of the argument, has been in the grasp of these centers of power and influence and as these polarities change so does art and its function. Certainly, much of the afore mentioned changes may appear superficial but the artist must recognize these topographical changes for what they are.

And so, as artists making an exhibition, we chose to reflect on a range of voices, from recent graduates of the Edna Manley College to more seasoned artists; artists who live and work in Jamaica to those from the Caribbean and the diaspora. Though the theme of Independence may carry political connotations, the exhibition consists of artists that have come at the subject from the political and personal, both as citizen and as individual. We invite the audience to really listen to what artists are saying through their imagery and material explorations.

Connected

Medium acrylic, vodka on canvas

38 x 40 ins.

JOHN CAMPBELL

The Release

Medium acrylic, vodka soft past, airbrushing on canvas

11.75 x 16.25 ins. JOHN CAMPBELL

Unshackled III Sugarcane, fabric and photograph on wood

Untitled

(Topic: Autobiography in Arts)

13 panel installation. Painting, mixed media collage

2020 variable

ROHMEARO MCFARLANE