Interview with the Gallery of West Indian Art

Q. Why does Jamaica have such a rich array of art as well as crafts?

A. We have found that the best Caribbean art and craft comes from Haiti and Jamaica. The fact that both of these countries are among the poorest in the Caribbean might be coincidental, yet we suspect that poverty often produces good art. It may have to do with the fact that the people, in order to make a living, are forced to become “jacks of all trades.” Many a Jamaican is familiar with and actively engaged in carpentry, housepainting, plumbing, metalwork, mechanical repairs, electrical repairs, etc. It may be that this familiarity with so many varied skills, acquired early in life and primarily for the purposes of making a living, translates into a unique ability to use these combined skills artistically with the greatest ease. Furthermore, the recycling and creative use of materials remains an economic necessity in Jamaican everyday life. This is mirrored, to a degree, by our creative use of materials in art and crafts.

Q. What styles are considered uniquely Jamaican?

A. There are striking similarities between our Caribbean art and the art of Africa in terms of color combinations, patterns and themes. I suspect that there is, for lack of a better word, some sort of “ancestral memory” at work – traditions and cultural memories that have been handed down through generations and which, in combination with the many other cultural influences and traditions found in Jamaica, have produced a uniquely Caribbean style. Then again, I could be wrong....

The fact that most Jamaican artists and craftsmen are self-taught often results in very idiosyncratic styles. Our painters, for example, often combine colors in a most unusual and non-classical way. The perspectives, representations and patterns used in paintings also reflect this fortunate lack of formal training and help to make our art easily distinguishable.

Q. Many travelers who have visited Jamaica previously might be familiar with the beautiful crafts sold on the island, but might not be aware of the fine art available. Can you tell us more about some of the artists whose work would be good examples of fine art?

A. While there are many distinguished Jamaican artists in the fields of sculpture and pottery, we are most familiar with the painters. Jamaica has produced a well-known school of naif/primitive painters – the “Jamaican Intuitives.” To this school belong Albert Artwell, Dolores Anglin, Everald Brown, Ras Dizzy and others. You can find some of their biographical information on our website (www.galleryofwestindianart.com).

Q. Can you tell us more about your gallery and its offerings?

A. The Gallery of West Indian Art was founded by Liz deLisser some 35 years ago. She now runs it with the help of her daughter Nicky. The gallery has two outlets; one in Montego Bay (11, Fairfield Road, Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, 876-952-4547, fax 979-5156) and one at the prestigious Round Hill Hotel, St. James ( 876-956-7050). The gallery also wholesales throughout the Caribbean, as well as in the US and Europe.

The gallery specializes in Haitian, Jamaican and Cuban art and paintings, mostly from the intuitive/naif schools. Most of the well-known Haitian and Jamaican artists are represented in our collection. We also produce and sell a wide range of hand-carved, hand-painted art and craft items, as well as full-sized and baby furniture.