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The arc lights on the stage shining on the costumes of the actors and forming silhouettes can be perceived as dramatic, essential, complementary, or even hard-hitting at times. Theatre couture has an important role in encapsulating the theme of the play, which is as critical as the talent of the actors, blends of light and sound, and the props on the stage. Pirate "Costumes for theatre tend to be more intricate and detailed as they are seen from closer, in a more intimate environment," says Greg Thames, who wears multiple hats of costume and set designer, technical director, stage manager, make-up designer, and director. The theme, colour scheme, design and the look of the costumes have to critically blend with the overall production. "As a designer of costumes for theatre and film, I work closely with the production director to make sure the costumes fit in with their overall vision," says Quiendell Fereguson. Costumes for theatre not only style th

For her work 'Dreaming Backwards' and 'Occupy' (Alchemy of Promise) Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, jeweller and sculptor, was awarded the 2012 Aaron Matalon Award. Jamaica-born Thomas-Girvan was born 1961. She attended the Parsons School of Design in New York. She has also made a number of public commissions, one of which was presented to the Queen of England. Her work has been exhibited in the United States, Jamaica, Trinidad, Venezuela and Mexico, and she recently had a solo exhibition, titled Resonance, at Hi-Qo Gallery in Kingston. She currently lives and works in Trinidad. "Over time my work has been expanding in scale and so one of the pieces is a wall piece 10 feet long, titled 'Dreaming Backwards'. This piece brings together many of the recurring themes in my work, referencing our collective history/memory, and is realised in materials which are environmentally relevant [such as a palm frond, bird feathers and man-made found objects],"

The breeze from the Kingston waterfront leads to the doorsteps of the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), opening to a burst of elements of creative expression of Jamaican artists from across the world. With the moods ranging from subtle and gentle to those that shock, the 2012 Biennial encapsulates the myriad of statements. "In the Biennial, there is work that is playful, sombre, respectful, or provocative," said Dr Veerle Poupeye, executive director of NGJ. "This year," she continued, "we expanded the definition of "Jamaican artist" to include artists of Jamaican parentage - previously, we used (residents of) Jamaica or Jamaican born as the criteria. "We did so in recognition of the significant role played by the Jamaican diaspora in the development of what can be considered Jamaican culture, which is itself an increasingly diverse and transnational field." This wide view was reflected as one walked through the gallery,