This is a sad moment in Jamaica's cultural and artistic history. I understand that the house of David Boxer, the late art historian, artist and collector, is slated for demolition, to make way for what will probably be another run-of-the-mill apartment complex, of which Kingston hardly needs any more. For those who did not know... Continue Reading →
The Wheels of History: Museums, Restitution and the Caribbean – Part 2
This is the second of a two-part post on the restitution debate and its significance to the Caribbean. The first part explores the general context and this second part explores the implications for the Caribbean. The Caribbean was one of the first world areas to be colonized by Europe, and was completely transformed in the... Continue Reading →
Taming the Lion? A Few Thoughts on the International Reggae Poster Contest
The International Reggae Poster Contest, which was launched in 2011, was the brainchild of the Jamaican poster artist and designer Michael Thompson “Freestylee”. His vision was quite specific and went beyond his obvious desire to celebrate the international cultural impact of reggae through a poster competition. He saw it as a platform to promote the... Continue Reading →
From the Archives: “Big Bamboo” and the Politics of Space in Fern Gully
Here is a second excerpt, on a more controversial subject and with some minor edits, from my chapter on art and tourism in my doctoral dissertation "Between Nation and Market: Art and Society in 20th Century Jamaica" (2011, Emory University). The first post can be found here. I have not been back to Fern... Continue Reading →
From the Archives: Dangerously Close to Tourist Art
I have not posted as often as I'd like recently, even though I have several new posts working on, as I have been bogged down with project and publication deadlines (and a nasty bout of flu) - not complaining about anything, except for the latter. So instead of a new post, I am presenting another... Continue Reading →
Too Close for Comfort
I have a bee in my bonnet. And I have been writing about it here and there on social media, as those who follow me on Facebook will have noticed. It is about the incestuousness, the cliquishness, and the endemic conflict of interest issues that plague the Caribbean art world. Issues that are, if they... Continue Reading →