Petrine Archer [.com]

Christopher Irons is a recent outstanding graduate of the EMSVA. He distinguished himself while still at college by being chosen most outstanding student of the second year and by receiving scholarships from the Bolivar and Student Council, Multi Care Foundation and the Ronald Moodie Scholarship. After graduating in 1998 he was selected to continue post-graduate studies in painting at the EMSVA. Christopher has also been the lead singer in the musical band Assesimba.

Raymond Watson has lived and worked in Jamaica, Trinidad, and London, and exhibited across the Caribbean, the United States, South America and England. He has mounted public sculptures in London, Kingston, and Port of Spain, as well as being represented in private collections world wide. In 1990, along with brother Basil Watson, he mounted Sculpture in the Park an outdoor exhibition of life size sculptures in New Kingston, Jamaica.

Basil Watson was one of the first students to benefit from the Jamaica School of Arts removal to its new campus as part of the Cultural Training Centre. He feels he was fortunate to be taught by a diverse range of tutor including Christopher Gonzales, Gene Pearson, Alexander Cooper, George Rodney and Kofi Kayiga.

Born in Kingston, Osmond Watson was a graduate of one of the first teaching programmes created by Edna Manley at the Jamaica School of Art and Crafts. In 1961, disappointed at the failure of plans for a West Indian Federation, he decided to travel to England with the intention of furthering his studies.

Returning from her studies in Europe, Kay Sullivan’s sculptures came to prominence in the 1970’s at a time when public sculpture was in demand. Skilled in many different media such as resin, fiberglas and bronze, her understanding of the human form as well as her empathy for Jamaican subject matter made her a candidate for these commissions. At a time when the health of Jamaica’s pioneer sculptor Alvin Marriot was failing, Sullivan became an ideal choice for commissions.

Born in Accompong Jamaica, Namba Roy settled in South London after World War Two where he established himself as both a writer and artist. Despite migration, Namba Roy was always conscious of his Caribbean-African heritage especially the tradition of rebellion and courage that was a part of the runaway slaves, maroon history and settlement in his home town, Accompong.

Winston Patrick considers himself fortunate to have studied at the Jamaica School of Art during the time of Barrington Watson and Colin Garland. Both artists had an impact on his career; in particular, the memory of Colin Garland’s keen observation and attention to detail would always stay with him, while he would be grateful to Barrington Watson for his support and the opportunity Watson provided  for  him  to travel, to see works of great artists and to expand his insights as an artist.

From an early age Morrison sketched incessantly, covering family books with figure drawings. By the time she reached her teens she was certain that she wanted to be an artist. Art satisfied an obsession that she had not yet clearly defined but had welcomed wholly.School teachers advised that she seek higher education.