JAMAICAN artists are being assured that pending changes to the Obscene Publications (Suppression of) Act will not affect their work.This promise came from Minister of Education and Culture, Senator Burchell Whiteman, who was speaking last week at the launch of "Breath of Spring", an art exhibition by the Jamaican Artists and Craftsmen Guild (JACG) at the Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, University of the West Indies.
Cabinet recently approved proposed amendments to the Act for increases in fines and punishment. Under the current Act, persons found guilty of an offence are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $40, and, in default of payment, imprisonment not exceeding three months, with or without hard labour.
The amendments will increase the fine to $400,000 and the custodial sentence will be six months, with or without hard labour.
"But the artist community has nothing to fear," the Minister said, noting that censorship of their work was not being contemplated.
He told the gathering that he had made available to schools, books on the noted Jamaican artist Albert Huie, and these contained several nudes.
"I want to know who is going to challenge me when having purchased several hundred copies of the latest book on the works of Albert Huie and made these books available to the children of Jamaica from primary school right through who is going to challenge me that I have exposed Jamaican children to something which could be described as indecent. Certainly no one," the Minister said.
Mr. Whiteman said the legislation was to ensure that the country was exposed to material that was wholesome.
Wholesome
"There are aspects of what is being published in Jamaica today which really do none of us any good, and, while one has to walk that careful line between censorship and freedom, one has to take those steps which will protect he social fabric and give people a sense of wholesomeness and a sense of who we truly are as a people. The artist community has nothing to fear," he emphasised.
The Minister lauded the guild for putting on the exhibition and encouraged all Jamaicans to view the paintings.
"All of us who understand the place of art in our own lives and the place of art in the life of the nation should join with the guild in seeking to promote art and make sure that as many of our young people as possible are exposed to the richness of the art which is available to us in Jamaica," he said.
The "Breath of Spring" show features 64 works by different artists, highlighting the richness of Jamaica's heritage and the changes in its culture at different periods of development.
Guild president Vivienne Logan said the intent of the exhibition was to show the best work of a large number of artists and develop an awareness of Jamaican art. The show is scheduled to run for three weeks.
