 Contemplating Kapo's art at the National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston We hear this a lot : "I'm not really into art". A visit to the National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston will likely not convert a non art loving person into an art lover but, the way we do it, it will certainly illuminate a number of issues and moments in Jamaican history. On your tour of the National Gallery led by our knowledgeable guide, you will learn the social and historical context surrounding the art. We don't interpret the art for you, we provide you with the stories, important moments, and the history of the epoch in which the art was created. This is, simply put, a fantastic way to understand Jamaica and a fun stop on a tour of Kingston. Plus, if you're an actual art lover, well, even better.  Edna Manley's "The Lesson" in front of the National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston  KINGSTON CITY TOUR No trip to Jamaica is complete without a trip to the capital, Kingston. The beauty of a vacation in Jamaica is that there is much variety that you may not necessarily get in other destinations. Yes, there are the beaches, but you also have music. Yes, you have the mountains, but you can also visit an art gallery. From drumming of the Maroons to dolphin watching (we recommend seeing them in the wild) to Dancehall street parties, you can find it all in Jamaica if you know where to look. To add to the variety of your trip, a visit to Kingston is a must.
On a tour of Kingston with us you will be able to learn about Jamaican history, feel the rhythm of the city (an infectious mix of reggae and dancehall), see Jamaicans in their natural element, not staged for tourists, and gain a deeper understanding of Jamaican history and culture. We offer a variety of options and ways to explore the city from music to art to heritage to walking and everything in between. We have been doing this for close to 10 years and have consistently great reviews because of our great value and knowledgeable guides. Feel free to sign up on our booking pages or drop us a line at info@jaculture.com to ask for more information.  If you know anything about Jamaica Cultural Enterprises (JCE) you know that we are excited by Jamaican culture and equally excited to transfer our knowledge of Jamaican culture to our guests. Jamaica is famous for music of course, but one of the areas where we don't get high enough ratings is for our art. Jamaicans produce amazing art. For us at JCE art isn't necessarily a very lofty, high brow experience where you stand in front of a black dot on a white canvas (or a white dot on a black canvas) and try and figure out it's meaning. Art is expression and comes in various accessible forms. Even if you're not an art enthusiast, to experience Jamaican art is to get a sense of the concerns of Jamaican people. THE place in Jamaica to experience Jamaican art is the National Gallery of Jamaica.
In the Gallery you have very traditional, representational paintings but you also have other things: sculptures, photographs, works done by untrained artists, textiles, and new media. What you see depends on what exhibition is currently on offer. There is also their Last Sundays programme where on the last Sunday of each month they open up for free tours, discussions, and performances. We incorporate Last Sundays into our Sunday walking tour. The Gallery is indoors but has a spacious, organised feeling. It is located near the Kingston Waterfront and with the sea close by, a visit is a win for so many reasons. We encourage you to come explore Jamaican art and the National Gallery with us. You can check out our art tours here. To contact us to arrange a trip to the National Gallery email info@jaculture.com or call 1 876 540 8570 (whatsapp).  If you're coming to Jamaica you have to visit Kingston. It's the capital, it's vibrating with music, art, food, and all kinds of cultural expression. If you're coming to Kingston you have to visit Life Yard. This co-operative of young rasta men has its base in a community nicknamed South Side and here the men run an organic farm, a vegetarian kitchen, community projects aimed primarily at neighbourhood children, and conduct tours of their streets. The big draw is the mural project done by Paint Jamaica which draws on the talents of local as well as international artists. The location is an oasis, the men are articulate and passionate, and the art is soul stirring. Man, you just have to see it for yourself. To find out more about our tours that visit Life Yard email info@jaculture.com or call 1 876 540 8570 (whatsapp). 
National Gallery of Jamaica's Upcoming Biennial
The first post is announcing the upcoming exhibition at the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), one of our favourite places to visit (such a cool space, folks, truly). NGJ doubles as a gallery and museum and so it's a good place to get a perspective on Jamaica through the lens of art. It is therefore recommended even if you're not an avid art fan but are simply interested in culture and history. One of the ways of course, to hear, view and participate in new discourse on Jamaican culture and history is through visiting the exhibitions. On Feb 26 there will be the official opening of a brand new exhibition at the National Gallery, the Jamaica Biennial 2017.
There will be three locations at which the art will be showcased: the National Gallery, Devon House, and National Gallery West in Montego Bay. Artists will be Jamaican, of Jamaican heritage or from the Caribbean, and the kind of art will vary and includes painting, sculpture and new media, among others.
Of course all the artists are talented but I do have favourites. I am especially looking forward to seeing new work by Jasmine Thomas-Girvan whose work is amazing, approaching a kind of detailed preciousness you would think would be irritating but is not. It is also a great exhibition to discover new artists and new perspectives. If you won't be in Jamaica on Feb 26, not to worry: the exhibition will remain up until May 28, 2017. This gives you plenty of time to visit. And of course, Jamaica Cultural Tours, being fans of all things artistic, should be the ones to take you there. Feel free to drop me a line at khutchinson@jaculture.com and I will arrange your art tour and visit to the National Gallery. I look forward to the new exhibition and to meeting you in Kingston! |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2020
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