The Digicel Downtown Mural Part 1
YardEdge once again welcomes a guest post from fellow Blogger, Berette Macaulay, who ventured downtown to investigate the Digicel downtown mural…
For the past month an exciting new project has been underway in downtown Kingston by the waterfront, a Digicel commissioned art mural covering some 2000 + sq ft of aluminum zinc walls enclosing a city block construction site of the phone company’s new head office.
Digicel commissoned artists from six downtown art organizations to put together creative teams for the job totalling nearly 40 painters, including young students from Edna Manley and Studio 174, self taught community artists, and established veterans in the art world.
Each colourful group creation depicts either a historical or contemporary aspect of downtown culture, designed by group leaders or collaboratively.
The rough estimate for the construction of Digicel’s head office is two to four years which means the mural won’t be permanent, but it will be a bright addition to the downtown environs for a reasonable period.
It’s just a block away from the National Gallery, Studio 174, and Roktowa – making this neck of the woods a hot spot not only for an inspiring art walk, but also to perhaps witness the real beginnings of a revitalized downtown Kingston scene.
The Art Groups and the Artists:
Edna Manley School of Arts: Leader – Omari “African” Ra, Artists: Matthew McCarthy, Okeeno Cato, Esther Chin, Dale Bedasse, Dominique Grant (all current students)
Multi-Care Visual Artists: Leader – Monique Barnett, Artists: Hakeem Barrett, Crystal Barrett, Dushaine Lorraine, Damian Richards, Sheldon Clayton (mostly self-taught)
Rastafarian Artisan Studio at 33 Laws Street: Leader – Abbebe Payne, Artists: Andwele Haughton, Cebert Gordon, Stokely Campbell, Golden Yesus, Clinton Payne, Ras Trevor Campbell, Trevor Earl Witter (mix of self taught and Edna Manley graduates)
Studio 174 founded by Rozi Chung (called on board by NGJ): Leader – Camille Cheddar, Artists: Jamila Cooper, Albert Walker, Alicia Brown, Jowaine Graham, Dwayne Beckford, Mark Bogie, Christopher Harris
National Gallery of Jamaica: Leader – Ebony G. Patterson, Artists: Mark Samuels, Peter Samaru, Monique Lyn, Ali Mustafa, Andre Morgan
LOGO Team: Leader – Ian Simon, Artists: Camille McIntosh, Emerald Easy, David Samauels
All photos contributed by Berette Macaulay
The Author
13 Comments
What will become of the Mural once the building is completed ?
Would like to know .
[…] Also check out this YardEdge post about the Digicel downtown Mural Project […]
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was definitely a pleasure to be apart of this project.
yow mathew you look different on that picture though. mi like what a guaan wid the work dem and i feel a personal sense of pride knowing that a fellow Edna Manleyhieght is representing .guaan do yu ting.i am an evening student.
i think the mural is very inspiring ,i haven’t gone to see it in person as yet but i would love to meet Rozi,i have some questions for her i too am a teacher and a student of the visual art, first question,what effect does art work ,murals in particular have on the morale of the inner city youth working on the public art and the general public that occupies the space in and around that area.
While a friend and I were speaking the other day, I heard that her son (Matthew) was working on a project and so I looked it up. My opinion: a great piece of art.
I shall be sharing this with my students in Maryland and passing it on to the teachers in the art department.
My client is downtown & I have not gone to see it, but would love to..what’s my excuse? “too busy”, great/fantastic idea though…love it!!
Great idea on the part of Digicel. It definitely beats looking at zinc and it’s certainly a great conversation piece.
In addition it provides the artists with a wider audience for their work.
big up to all the artists.
No pressure. Pix look great!
Eeek – the pressure is on – photos are up and no video… ahhhh. Looks good tho K. Glad the pics are proving to be effective at least 😉 Will spread the word among the artists to check this.
[…] Studio 174, self taught community artists, and established veterans in the art world. See more from PART 1 Edna Manley artists National Gallery artists National Gallery […]
Hi Karin, how are you doing?
Great pictures. They make me want to see this mural for myself.