Young Jamaican artists get exposure at airport's VIP Lounge

Scotia Private Client Group (SPCG) has launched its first in a series of art exhibitions at the newly opened VIP Lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

Titled 'The New Generation - 7 Contemporary Artists', the exhibition features the work of some of Jamaica's most celebrated young artists - Andrae Green, Ebony G. Patterson, Khary Darby, Michael 'Flyn' Elliot, Marvin Bartley, Leasho Johnson, and Oliver Myrie. It is a vibrant and dynamic selection of works, illustrating the talent of this new generation of artists - all of whom have had pieces shown at the National Gallery and at various galleries islandwide and internationally.

"We are happy for this partnership which will allow exposure of the work of contemporary Jamaican artists to local and international audiences. Our work in managing and building wealth for our clients includes highlighting and uncovering the value of Jamaican art as a worthwhile investment.

"This exhibition also allows us to support the remarkable work that is being done by young Jamaican artists and allows us to create alternate art spaces outside of the traditional art gallery where fine Jamaican art can be exhibited," said Debra Lopez-Spence, centre director, SPCG.

Exciting development

This emerging partnership between the visual arts culture and SPCG is an exciting development in innovating new art spaces and diversifying the ways in which Jamaican art can be viewed and experienced by a wider audience. With this new space at the airport, SPCG is providing an international forum from which local artists can impact new audiences in a meaningful and purposeful way, not only creating vital interest in visual artists, but also illustrating to both Jamaicans and non-Jamaicans the depth and vibrancy of the work of contemporary artists.

This exhibition is a journey through the minds and imaginations of just seven of Jamaica's young artists, dealing with notions of masculinity/femininity in dancehall culture, reinterpretations of the Middle Passage experience and the natural world, and issues of existential struggles in identity and our sense of place in the new globalisation of culture.

Curator Susanne Fredricks describes the exhibition as inspirational.

"This exhibition showcases an inspiring and challenging body of work and SPCG's corporate support is crucial in enabling artists to widen their impact on visual cultural conversations as well as their long-term careers," Fredricks said.