- Contributed photos
'Sisters' by Howard Moo Young, left, and "Home, Sweet Home" by Andie McNaughton.
FOR THE first time, no gold medal was awarded in the national photography competition organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) to highlight artistic excellence at Independence.This was because there were no "show stoppers" (according to the judges), although the overall quality of entries was good.
No gold medal was awarded in the fine arts competition, either. And this is the second consecutive year that no gold medal has been awarded in this competition.
So, overall, only 18 silver medals, 66 bronze, and a total of 301 certificates of merit were awarded for outstanding works.
The winning works are currently on display in a combined visual arts exhibition at Shops 25-26 Kingston Mall in downtown Kingston. This joint exhibition, similar to one held in 2000, was organised by the JCDC from a desire to display artistic works in one venue, as well as economic constraints.
FINE ARTS EXHIBITION
In the fine arts competition, only two silver medals were awarded in the youth category along with 17 bronze medals and 57 certificates of merit.
The first time that awards less than silver have been made in the professional and amateur artist categories, bronze medals were awarded to painters Peter Peart, Cristeina "Tafui" McLean, and Elisha Miller in the professional category.
Still among the professionals, artists Clayton Rhule and Bryan Duncan received bronze for drawings, a single bronze was awarded in the ceramic category (Maxine Gray), two in fibre art (Bryan Duncan and Nosbourne Lee), while artist Sana Rose collected two bronzes for professsional collage/photomontage entries.
Amateurs usually use the Festival competition as an avenue for evaluation of their works, as well as a launching pad for their careers. This year, four painters (Alicia Brown, Stacy-Anne Hyde, Rohan Moore, and Corretta Singer) received bronze medals, while first-time entrant Howard Moo Young received the sole bronze for drawing, and Devon Garcia was the only winner in the sculpture category.
The youth category fared better this year, featuring the works of young artists in two age groups 14 and under and 15-18 years. According to the judges, in their efforts there was evidence of "much hard work and exploration in terms of creativity and techniques."
Silver awards went to Jessia Heholt and Andie McNaughton for paintings in the 14-and-under category, while a bronze medal was made to Shantel Smith for drawing in the 15-18 age category.
No awards were made in some categories, namely, amateur collage/photomontage and print-making, and, among the youths, in collage/photomontage, printmaking, fibre art, sculpture and ceramics (under14 years).
Chief judge for the competition, Barbadian culture consultant Elombe Moteley, revealed that it took only one day to judge the 215 entries received, and 35 per cent of them received awars.
He cited under-representation in some categories and lack of techniques as the main problems, as well as framing. According to him, "artists often invested unneeded expense in elaborate frames which did not enhance or complete their work, instead achieving the reverse effect."
The judges had high praise for artists in the youth category, and, in particular, the Seaforth High School in Thomas for the 21 students who submitted 44 pieces for consideration.
"This can be attributed to the work of dedicated teachers, and the judges feel that the contribution of such teachers are invaluable," Mr. Mottley said. "The Judges also stress the necessity of more workshops in schools and with teachers by the JCDC."
Art teacher of Seaforth High, Caroline Miles, was recognised for her "inspiration" in getting the students to enter the competition, receiving a prize from judges Diana Fredericks and Hope Wheeler, while tutor Maxine Gray presented a second prize on behalf of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA).
Also well represented were works by students from the EMCVPA who "took their fair share of awards."
Other judges on the five-member panel were artists Heather Sutherland-Wade, and Lutalo Makonzi.
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Very popular with amateur, professional and youth photographers, the Festival photography competition attracted 6,735 entries this year in five categories black and white, colour prints, colour slides, youth, and manipulated prints.
"Judging of these entries took two days," chief judge, Beat Schwabb reported. "And while the overall quality was good, there were no 'show stoppers'."
Sixteen silver medals were presented to participants, along with 49 bronze, and 244 certificates of merits.
The judges pointed out that many entries could have improved with better cropping, composition and printing. Several colour slides suffered from over-exposure or poor mounting and identification for viewing.
"Some entries were out of focus, poorly cropped, had distracting backgrounds, or had to be reclassified," Mr. Schwabb said. "This caused many entries not to be hung. Colour slides lacked quality, except for those receiving awards, and many were overexposed, or had mounts incorrectly indicated for viewing."
Along with Mr. Schwabb, photographers Maria LaYacona and Donnette Zacca also served as judges.
Colour slides in flora/fauna, architecture/engineering, adult portraiture, child photography, sports/games, and photojournalism classes received silver and bronze medals.
Black and white entries depicting flora/fauna, fashion/glamour, and child photography received silver and bronze medals for first, second and third places, while manipulated prints received silver and bronze medals in first, second and two third places. The youth category attracted 20 entries, all of a "high standard of work", and three bronzes were awarded in this category.
Veteran photographer Howard Moo Young collected the award for best colour slide titled "Sister" in child photography along with three silver, nine bronze, and 24 merit awards. He was named top photographer of the competition.
Best colour print was awarded to Tony Wong, who received a first (level) silver for "Basket Case" in adult portraiture. His other medals were a second silver, a first bronze and a third bronze.
Best black and white print was in the flora/fauna category "Sunlit Petals" by Khalil Francis, who also received a first silver, five bronze, and 10 merits.
Alfred Maragh's "Wagon Wheels" was named best manipulated print, and the photographer also collected another first silver, two bronze, and three merits.
EXPOSURE AND NATION-BUILDING
CDC chairman, Vivian Crawford, praised the winners and other participants who had submitted entries, and urged them to continue to take advantage of opportunities provided to exhibit their works.
"In so doing, you will continue to build your reputation and that of the country in the arts in the eyes of the world. You will then show everyone the great contribution the JCDC had made in nation-building over the past 40 years," he said.
In giving the vote of thanks, Fine Arts Committee Chairman, Allison Sinclair, said the competitions had served to expose Jamaicans to a wide range of creative talent, "bringing what was previously considered the province of the elite to the attention of the man in the street."
A "new look' catalogue, designed by Heather Sutherland-Wade, provides a full listing of the winners in the two competitions, along with photographs of the award-winning works (silver and bronze). The exhibition will continue at the Kingston Mall until August 18.
- Georgia Hemmings
