Artists find lasting value in festival - Entertainment - Jamaica Gleaner ...

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

"Art is a profession that you might say chooses you, because the artist can't retire or resign. There is always another painting to do, another idea to bring forth. And people are always looking forward to the latest thing, and you are looking forward to extending yourself by the very piece that you do," said Ray Jackson, one of the exhibitors to have displayed his works at the recently held Ligunea Art Festival.

The 1980s graduate of Jamaica School of Art, who specialises in acrylic, pastel, pencil and water colours and uses Jamaicans with an African mix as the subject for his art work, continued: "My inspiration is always the piece that I did before, you are always learning something from that piece and carrying it over, whether it the subject matter or the medium itself."

The visual artist has been a regular exhibitor at the art festival since its conception - in fact for all 10 years.

"The organisation is top notch; I would say this is the fair of the year."

Furthermore, he explained, "People who come to the art fair are true art lovers and art supporters. So you make some contacts, because even though you might not sell on the day, there is an after situation, any time you get a chance to exhibit your work and show it, contact comes into play automatically. You do not know who might come to a fair. "

On the flip side and perhaps unknown to Jackson, at the fair, were three lucky student photographers from Glenmuir High School in Clarendon. The three, Ashley Simpson, Carl Simpson and Mickail Henry, were winners in The Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) photography competition, Resolution Project Advocacy through Photography.

The JNBS Foundation Resolution Project provides the tools that allow young people to critically examine their communities, and use the camera as a platform to speak out on issues that affect their lives.

OPEN TO ALL SCHOOLS

The competition is the brainchild of Earl Jarrett, JNBS general manager and is open to schools outside of the Kingston Metropolitan area.

Proud to show and speak of their works, the three students believe the competition is valuable, as it provides opportunities for expression and learning.

Stephens believes that "a photograph speaks a thousand words and you may never know what you may capture, so you just walk with your camera and you can capture a really brilliant moment." Simpson believes through pictures time remains still.

And for Henry, "We can learn from it. Instead of using malicious words we can use photography to resolve it, and it speaks volume to other persons."

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130509/ent/ent2.html

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