Celebrating the golden jubilee of women in arts

Published August 5, 2012

The Sunday Gleaner

"Rock It Come Over", title of Dr Olive Lewin's book seems to encapsulate the recognition of female artists of Jamaica - a showcase of artwork of 50 exceptionally creative minds - 50 years of female art.

A Jamaica50 endorsed event the exhibition is a tribute to the renowned author, social anthropologist, musicologist Dr Lewin at her former residence 8 Hillcrest Avenue, now home to Décor VIII art gallery.

"The spirit of culture resides in the premises," exclaimed gallery director, Hyacinth McDonald, "and there could be no better tribute to the greatness of Dr Lewin than to recognise the creative acumen of women in arts."

At the entrance is an untitled sketch Charcoal on paper done by Edna Manley in 1983, which welcomes the visitor to the rich artistic journey that unfolds in the gallery.

The exhibits, some with intricate details and others in abstracts, transform the gallery into an amalgamation of old-world charm and a pan of the contemporary lifestyle. The walls and the floor are dotted with statuettes, paintings and figurines splashing the varied hues of the palette in the space.

Untitled - Charcoal on paper, Edna Manley, 1983

"The exhibition is a discovery of Jamaican female art over the last 50 years," McDonald informed. "It features the works of artists Roberta Stoddart, Maria Layacona, Nakazzi, Susan Alexander, Susan Shirley, Samere Tansley and many more talented visual artists who have contributed to and worked towards revolutionising Jamaican art since 1962."

The gallery space is encapsulated in a time warp, not the discerning traveller in space suit and modern gadgetry, but a patron who can appreciate the timelessness of the creative acumen of these ladies.

Miss Lou and Maas Ran 1964, Maria Layacoma

A striking image on the wall is of the theatre aficionados, Louise Bennett-Coverley and Ranny Williams, Miss Lou and Maas Ran captured in an animated pose, a black and white photo on canvas from the 1964 pantomine Breda Buck by Maria Layacoma.

"We wanted to honour Dr Lewin and in March we decided to do an exhibition centred around women artists," said McDonald, who is an interior designer and is assisted by her husband, Douglas, a medical doctor and a lover of art.

Exhibits at Decor VIII

They went around collating the pieces for the exhibition and, in the space of three months, managed to secure works of 50 women artists, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Jamaica's Independence.

"The effort has been appreciated by those who have visited the exhibition.

"We not only displayed the artwork but also integrated performing arts into the event," informed McDonald. The entourage of Supersaad drummers, and the Jamaica Folk Singers were in concert at the opening.

Sculptures and mural at Decor VIII

McDonald says that she envisages Décor VIII, which opened doors in November 2011, as a creative art space where people of all ages and walks of life can catch a vibe and engage in the many manifestations of art.

Art for McDonald is a labour of love, where her husband and their two daughters assist her.

To encourage appreciation of art among the wider populace, McDonald says she is employing innovative techniques. "It is not true that art is expensive and only for a select few," she said. "What we try and do here is to bring the artist and the patrons under one roof, which gives them a chance to interact."

"You do not need a particular reason to come, just come," she said.

"50 years of Female Art" opened on July 29 and will run for three weeks. Décor VIII is located at 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston 6 and is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

amitabh.sharma@hotmail.com