By Georgia Hemmings, Staff ReporterArtists Dawn Vaz and Vivienne Logan have joined forces to present a surrealistic exhibition titled Pulling Back the Curtain which is scheduled to open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Terra Nova Hotel, St. Andrew.
The scheduled guest speaker is Opposition Leader Edward Seaga.
The exhibition is expected to be an historic one, as the works being showcased will also be available on the Internet from a Jamaican on-line gallery.
The new gallery, sited at http/www.artworksjamaica.com.jm, will highlight the works from Pulling Back the Curtain exhibition initially. However, it is expected to facilitate other artists, art collectors and galleries, promoting high-quality Jamaican art.
Ms. Vaz told The Sunday Gleaner that "the idea is to promote Jamaican art in the international marketplace."
"Our local art is in demand, and we must make it accessible to collectors," she added.
For her, the Internet offers a marketplace not limited by geographical boundaries. It is also cost-effective and timely, notwithstanding problems associated with distribution and purchasing.
"One cannot keep focussing on the problem all the while," she declared. "We have to take the bull by the horns, and go in there and work to solve the problems as they arise."
For now, she's prepared to represent the works of artists for agreed periods, with one solo exhibition every two years. These artists will also participate in group exhibitions at least three times per year.
A bio-data on each artist, along with one piece of work, will be on display, and all displayed work will be for sale, unless otherwise indicated. The pieces will be priced in United States dollars, with sales allowed in that denomination or its Jamaican equivalent.
Packaging, insurance and delivery/shipment of the art pieces will be handled solely by the gallery, with all pieces being professionally packaged for delivery, and, where shipped, be insured at a minimum of 50 per cent of the retail value. Shipping will de done using internationally-recognised couriers.
Ms. Vaz explained that an on-line auction system is being considered, as well as the facilitating of commissioned worked by selected artists. Other products being enveloped for sale include greeting cards, books, and art prints.
For now, the on-line facilities are being offered to artists with a registration fee of US$15, with a processing fee of US$2 per photograph and a 30 per cent commission for pieces sold.
There will be no cost for hosting, Ms. Vaz explained, except in instances where pieces are being displayed, but not for sale.
Ms. Vaz is a bronze medal winner in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) festival fine arts competition 2000, former vice-president of the Jamaican Artists and Craftsmen Guild, and has mounted numerous art exhibitions locally.
Ms. Logan worked professionally in marketing before she started painting professionally in 1995.
She has since had solo exhibitions in the United Kingdom and France, and participated in many group shows locally. She was awarded the only gold medal at the JCDC festival fine arts competition in 1999, and a silver medal this year.
