GLIMPSE THE STORIES
BEHIND THE ARTIST BEAUTY REVEALED IN
DRAWINGS ISSUE 1
Visual Arts
The Cure
INTRODUCTION The history of Jamaican art, with centuries of its unique culture embedded in the island is partly credited to the Tainos who played an incremental role. Unfortunately, during the colonial period these indigenous people were wiped out by the spaniards because of diseases and hard labour. Nonetheless a few artifacts were saved inclusive of some of a trifling collection of domestic items and carved images, which can be found in the National Gallery. Despite most of these creative artifacts being destroyed, Jamaicans still found inspiration to make creative work. One of the founding mothers of Jamaican’s Art, Edna Manley, encouraged Jamaicans to execute creative work that would be a true representation of their culture and not to imitate the European style. Sculptor, Edna Manley advice’s resulted in local artistes developing and maintaining “Brand Jamaica”. These creative art work can be found in the homes to the street corner shops. Carvings and other designs which pledge allegiance to the land decorate the streets and stores of this colorful island. Straw hats and mats, wood-based jewellry, ceramic fixtures, paintings and costumes and sandals are only a few items that are made in Jamaica. These items are perfect for souvenirs- so that one can take a piece of this island with them wherever they may go. The magazine “Glimpse” will be a quarterly publication aimed to educate, inform and develop and appreciation for Jamaica’s culture and heritage. This volume will profile five contemporary young artists who explore the visual arts. These art forms are ceramics, drawings, paintings, design and craft . These elements of the visual arts are often times kept on the back burner as some people never really took the time to appreciate the creative work in these areas. Therefore, this magazine will share the stories and the work of artists who are passionate about what they do as creative people.
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Struck by the idea
PRODUCT DESIGN
Looking Beyond the piece
LEATHER CRAFT
Colours do talk
PAINTINGS
Revealing wome’n;s beauty
DRAWINGS
shape of you
CERAMICS
CONTENTS
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CERAMICS
Kirkland Dixon on the potter’s wheel molding a jar
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Pottery jars done by KWirkland Dixon after being removed from the Potter’s Wheel.
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SHAPE OF YOU The history on Jamaica’s ceramics goes as far back to the time of the Tainos who were using clay to make household items such as mugs, bowls, pots and water jars among many other items, They also used clay to make carved images of who they imagined their Gods to be.
Kirkland Dixon on the potter’s wheel, student of Edna Manley School of the visual and performing arts
Though the Tainos died, the baton was passed on when the enslaved Africans arrived. Their pottery work were unique in style and this still continues to be because the legacy passed on is so profound even after decades. It was passed on by who many called the ‘Father of Ceramics’, Cecil Baugh and is still being passed on today. Kirkland Dixon is a third year student of the Edna Manley College of the visual and performing arts, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Arts Education has found his passion. It was after he was introduced to the different areas within the arts that he fell in love with ceramics. This passion he believed was also sparked by curiosity as he tried to understand why there were no other students in his year group majoring in ceramics. Hence why he chose this field of study which he has not regretted. Dixon is interested in creating functional items for human daily needs such as vases, tiles, bowls and jars, among other items. At the heart of every pottery is pliable clay, producing work through a timely process which begins by kneading the clay dough until its sticky then taking to the potter’s wheel, placing in the centre and molded into a creative piece. Kirkland often practices pottery as it provides therapy for his daily troubles. Each day he looks forward to going to school because all he wants to see is the potter’s wheel; the place where all his worries fade.
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These feelings towards the art as well as working with young minds have inspired him to enforce/ encourage an art club in high schools which will be aimed at showing appreciation for the visual arts. He believes this is important because over the years he has come to realize that students are introduced to the visual arts from the secondary level but it is not encouraged to pursue thereafter.
He noted that one of his best work thus far is a two piece vase (lmage to the left of text) it one of his very first work to come out successful. This made him proud of his efforts and sentiments attached to that piece is still sends chills up his spine as he thinks back to the time when it was fashioned.
Dixon though is driven by passion, is also inspired by the work of his lecturers and famous ceramists, Phillip Supersad and Norma Harrack who are always willing to share their expertise in the field. With this knowledge passed on, he hopes to use in the future to start his own pottery shop.
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DRAWINGS
Drawing of international artiste, Pink, done by Phillip Thomas
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Drawing done by Phillip Thomas
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Drawing of Ruth B,Canadian singer done by Phillip Thomas
Revealing Women’s Beauty
Jamaica has a history of individuals who does professional sketches one such person is Ras Daniel Heartman, a Rastafarian religious leader. In the late 1900s he did numerous charcoal and pencil drawings known all across the world. He created a legacy as an intuitive artist who drew images that revealed his spiritual beliefs. Artists today are still carrying on this legacy in professional sketches. Phillip Thomas discovered his obvious talent at the age of 9 while attending Unity Primary School, Lawrence Tavern. Now 23 years old, he recalls the many times his Drawing done by Phillip Thomas schoolmates bribed him to do their sketches.
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Not only are these sketches done to display emotions but they also bring reveal social issues. Thomas, though is a music producer at VS He noted that in some of his drawings the issue Plus studios, he still makes time to do what of depression and anxiety which faces women he loves, drawing portraits especially of women. Phillip received no formal training but as well the struggles which an African American faces in our world today.
is enthused about how his art developed over the years. He is interested in capturing the finer details in his drawings, people’s emotions, He is fond by the many expressions female often display and have always been amazed by the design of a woman and is humbled as he captures every inch of detail.
Drawing of Canadian Singer, Ruth B , done by Phillip Thomas
Phillip wants is always seeking knowledge on how to develop this art coupled with contact practice so that he may be better able to capture on paper the emotions of other people.
Drawing by Phillip Thomas
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PAINTINGS
Painting done by Kwesian Glanville
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COLOURS DO TALK The beautifully colored palette holds the power to create a masterpiece whether on a canvas or on walls, wherever the surface may be. Creativity springs forth not only in the blue sky coloured beaches, the rushing waters streaming down the hill side or the green pastures on the voluptuous mountains but Jamaica is home for the translation and revelation of such beauty in its paintings. Jamaica’s motto “out of many one people” speaks not only to the different identities but it also speaks to the different backgrounds that helps to create a diverse island bursting with creative people. If one should look at the many paintings produced by islanders’ one would see the evidence of a colorful nation. Gifted painters such as Charles Campbell, Deborah Caroll, Alexander Cooper and Doreen Hardie among others have paved the way for an exemplary standard in the art of Painting. Painters of this age are not only inspired by the creative work of these nobles.The tropical nature of this island as well as situations presented in their surroundings are some other inspirations. This section will tell the story of a young painter in Jamaica who desires to develop her career. This section will tell the story of a young painter in Jamaica who desires to develop her career.
Kwesian Glanville poses with one of her pieces
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Kwesian Glanville, a passionate lover of the arts is a first year student of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts majoring in Painting. She remembers how her grandfather and uncles would spend their days drawing something new. His dedication for the arts as well as her teachers’ at the Alpha girls Academy made her even more desirous to pursue a career in the arts. She described that this form of art provides a means of therapy as it relieves her mind from the thoughts of her bipolar disorder. Furthermore her paintings aim to describe moods in her personality. She commented on two of her paintings: “Rubber Ducky” is a representation of the anxiety and fear she often feels. She then described how the brush strokes were used shows the technique of pointillism which gives it a feeling of actual nervous shaking and uneasiness. The colours chosen on the duck were designed to give the piece a meaning of fear in different cultures and the background colours black and grey were used to highlight the gloominess of being fearful.
Painting done by Kwesian Glanville, titled “Ruber ducky”
The other piece known as ‘Pears’ represents her feelings when dealing with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. She mentioned that the darker colours on the pears represent the many times she felt anxious in various situations and the brighter colours represent how comfortable and alive she felt in other situations. These pieces are unique in colour texture and pattern and they all reflect something about her personality. This passion and deep interest that she carries for the art of paintings as she described is often not valued by some members of society. She believes that the government of Jamaica sends a clear message that they are more interested in supporting Sports and Academia and not the arts. She stated that many believe the arts should be treated as a hobby and not a career. This mindset ought to change as artists spend long hours to produce quality work. In spite of the obstacles, she will continue to produce quality paintings as she seeks to develop her career as a painter. Glanville also spoke of the great painter Salvador Dali, a prominent Spanish surrealist born in Catalonia, Spain who she often looks to for inspiration. She stated that his surrealistic work has inspired to produce rich and authentic images through her paintings.
Painting done by Kwesian Glanville titled ““African side”
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LEATHER
CRAFT
‘Coaster set’ leather craft by Calvin Dawkins
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Coasters done by Calvin Dawkins
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LOOKING BEYOND THE PIECE “The more I learn, the more enthused I become.� -Calvin Dawkins
Jamaican Crafts are done using a variety of materials including straw, fabric, wood, clay, shells, metals, and other materials. Earlier in history, crafts were influenced by African, Indian,European and Arawak cultures as they made craft a part of their daily lifestyle to make items such as straw baskets, wood carvings and jewelry. The Rastafarian culture represented by the colours black, green, gold and red have inspired many craft ideas such as jewelleries and fashion items such as bags and clothing styles. Though thecolours are bright these handiwork found in this island are sometimes overlooked. The creative goods can be found in shopping centres, popular craft markets from Kingston to Port Antonio.
Born and raised in the cool hills of Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew is a 24 year old creative who knows to do just about anything that is referred to as art. Calvin Dawkins discovered his love for the arts from about 4 years old because he was fascinated by the creativity in nature particularly the patterns on animals and insects. He found that he was never interested in the theoretical part of learning but was always hands on and practical. He practices some areas in the visual arts such as photography, drawing, leather craft and other kinds of craft and architecture
The concept for making each craft has never been easy to formulate but in spite of the odds this young artist spend quality time to produce creative leather craft. Leather craft has been common in Jamaica as dried goat and cow skins make slippers, instruments, belts, hats and other fashionable items. However this artist will share how his leather craft creations started.
Calvin Dawkins, leather craft artist explains how he truly feels about the art
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In 2014 he realized that he was able to be free and creative in leather art. “The more I learn the more enthused I become” said Dawkins. Hence, the aim of his work is to show uniqueness and details. On this journey to developing his career he allows his friends to give input by sharing their ideas, assist in making sketches as well as to promote the products. He also seeks professional advice so that he may be better able to treat his brand as a business and is always seeking to learn more about the art. He noted that he is not necessarily inspired by a particular person but rather through conversations with people . Not only does conversations help to manifest these leather crafts but Youtuber, Fisher Workshops assist this process as he is inspired by the quality of work they produce.
Artists display products at places such as Dunns River Falls just so that they can get the sale from tourists, but it is still not an official place for them. Artists need to feel as though they are actually working rather than having to fight to get their work sold.” Dawkins commented “The world of an artist is like a battlefield.The result of this is that Jamaican artists are setting their minds on promoting their product abroad because they realize that Jamaica is just not doing enough for them.”
He mentioned that artists like himself have to work hard to get their work out because there is no place to showcase their work. “There are no avenues for artists to display their work and because of this artists have to be stacking up their work at particular places in the island.
Image top right- coin purse done by Calvin Dawkins Image bottom left- coaster case done by Calvin Dawkins
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PRODUCT
DESIGN
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N O I T LLEC
O C N A I B A F
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STRUCK BY
THE IDEA
“Jamaica is ripe with
talent in the visual arts and it should be supported. - Fabian Williams
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” When chobble tek yuh pickney shut fit yuh” is a popular Jamaican proverb which can apply in some situations. It simply means that when you are in a difficult situation you will find yourself finding ways and means to adjust. This proverb tells the story of this young product designer, Fabian Williams. Fabian is seeking to make his mark in the design industry after years of hard times which welcomed hungry nights, no employment, and no money. He did not complete his secondary level education because of family-related issues. Therefore he began to seek employment from as early as 17 years old at several food establishments and other business places.This made him depressed, anxious and felt as though the world was against him. Nonetheless he persevered and in 2002 he was enrolled in the HEART institute where he completed levels onethree certification in electrical installation.
Sandals by Fabian Williams During this dry season in his life he was given the idea to create sandals but he was reluctant to doing so because he had no funds to start such business. In the meantime he began tailoring jeans and other clothing. However between the year 2016 and 2017 things began to turn around for Williams. He received employment at a gas station. While working at the gas station he found that he was still getting the unction to make the slippers. In a couple months, he bought some materials to start the sandals and while being at the gas stations he introduced his product to some females and they encouraged him to continue because he was creative and passionate.
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It was during this time that Bridget Sandals began to get popular. Bridgets Sandals unique style gave him inspiration for what was ahead. He decided to pursue his dreams, left his job and is now a full time entrepreneur doing what he loves, creating beautiful sandals
“Jamaica is ripe with talent in the visual arts and it should be supported.” He commented He is optimistic as he believes that Jamaicans have become more supportive to Jamaica brands. Therefore the government should seek to capitalize on this change and pay more attention to persons in the visual arts because they are producing top-notch products. “Creativity and effort are placed in these products and it should be valued.” He added. When asked which piece of work would he consider his best? he made this final and profound comment “The last sandals I make are always the best but I try not to get too attached because I’m always seeking to grow, improve and master this skill”
Sandals by Fabian Williams
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ART IS
LIFE This magazine is intended to give young artists a space to display their talent while being able to educate Jamaicans and tourists on the elements of the Jamaican culture relating to the visual arts. The artists featured were Kirkland Dixon- Ceramist, Kwesian Glanville- Painter, Phillip Thomas-drawist, Calvin Dawkins-Leather Craft artist and Fabian Williams- Product Designer.
Special Thanks Special thanks is being extended to Calvin Dawkins, Jahmoi McKay and Vanessa Reynolds for assisting in photography, layout and proof reading assistance respectively.
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