This year marks a momentous occasion for The National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ) as it commemorates fifty years of preserving and promoting Jamaican art and culture. Under the theme Continuity: A Legacy of Artistry, the NGJ proudly announces the launch of “Continuity: The Exhibition” on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 1:30 PM, at 12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston, Jamaica.
Building upon the foundation laid by the 2014 anniversary exhibition, “In Retrospect: 40 Years of the National Gallery,” this new showcase will highlight the significant developments and exhibitions from 2014 to the present. Continuity will revisit ten of the NGJ’s most iconic exhibitions from the last decade, including the Biennials of 2014, 2017, and 2022, as well as Jamaica Jamaica! (2020). Additionally, it will feature exhibitions from National Gallery West, established in 2014 in Montego Bay to extend the NGJ’s reach to Western Jamaica. These exhibitions have explored themes such as gender, the intersection of Jamaican art and music, fashion, and technology, presented through diverse mediums including portraiture, sculpture, textiles, and multimedia.
Chief Curator Mr. O’Neil Lawrence commented on the exhibition’s selections, stating, “These exhibitions have showcased our commitment to innovation and our ability to engage the public with fresh perspectives on Jamaican art. We are excited to display new works from artists who have grown with us, reflecting the dynamic evolution of the artistic community.”
The exhibition will feature over forty artists, blending masterpieces from the permanent collection with contemporary works by previously exhibited artists. They include Barrington Watson, Albert Huie, Cosmo Whyte, Everald Brown, Petrona Morrison, Miriam Smith, Deborah Anzinger, Keambiroiro Khalfani Ra, Kimani Beckford, Ebony G. Patterson and Richard Nattoo, among others.
The opening ceremony will commence at 1:30 PM, featuring an address by esteemed guest speaker Dr. Shani Roper, curator of the UWI Museum and co-President of the Museums Association of the Caribbean. The event will also include a reception with musical performances by acclaimed cellist Emily Ruth, guitarist Wayne McGregor, flautist Zoe McIntyre, and percussionist Rueben Betty. The gallery will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and admission is free.
The NGJ extends its gratitude to Minister Grange, the Chairman and Board, Executive Director and Senior Director (acting), the entire staff, all participating artists, and the stakeholders who have supported the gallery’s mission over the years.
The exhibition will run until September 30, 2024.