At left 'Redemption Song' by 15-year-old Tamara Cousins reflects the controversial statues in Emancipation Park, New Kingston. At right
Some of the clay sculptures displayed by St. Hugh's High School, which was awarded the Institute of Jamaica (IoJ) Shield for craftsmanship.
-Norman Grindley photosGeorgia Hemmings
, Staff Reporter
TWO KINGSTON-BASED schools and one in St. Thomas emerged winners in the 2003 National Art and Craft exhibition in schools organised by the Institute of Jamaica (IoJ).
St. Hugh's High School in Kingston received the IoJ Shield for good craftsmanship; the Robert Verity trophy was awarded to Seaforth High School in St. Thomas for outstanding 'experimental' work, and Seaward Primary and Junior High School received the Hugh Dawes trophy as the best overall primary school in the competition.
However, the top prize for excellence The IoJ Trophy was not awarded to any school due to the poor quality work, according to the judges for the competition.
The adjudication panel reported that "In our view, the schools need to present a good balance of two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces, hence the judges decision not to award an overall winning school."
The judges' report was presented at the awards ceremony held in early January in the IoJ lecture hall in downtown Kingston. Damion Guy, assistant curator for the visual arts at MultiCare Foundation, presented the report on behalf of fellow judges, Patricia Fletcher, visual art officer in the Ministry of Education, and Keith Curwin, managing director of Cherry Types Limited.
DECLINING STANDARDS
Over the years, declining artistic standards and dwindling numbers of participants continue to plague the competition/ exhibition, which is organised annually to showcase the achievements of students between 12-18 years in secondary, high, technical, and all-age schools island wide in a variety of art categories.
This year, only 14 schools participated, mainly from Kingston and St. Andrew. They were Bishop Gibson High, Anchovy High, Rusea's High, St. Hugh's High, Seaward Primary and Junior High, Ensom City Primary, Excelsior Education Centre, Pembroke Hall High, Spaldings High, Wolmer's Boys' School, St. Andrew High School for Girls, Queen's High and Ardenne Extension School.
And, similar to last year, the judges reiterated that "the general standard of the exhibition has fallen beyond expectation, with fewer schools participating and a decline in the standard of work produced." Expressing disappointment at the non-participation of other schools, Mr. Guy urged the audience of students, school teachers, and IoJ staffers not to let the competition die. "This is about us as a society and where we want our art to be. We have to become more competitive, therefore standards have to be improved," he said. "I urge teachers to provide students with greater exposure to the world of art by encouraging their creativity in reproducing their environment and the world around them. Lift up standards so that you can showcase at an international level. Let us continue to work for excellence."
OUTSTANDING
Notwithstanding the dampening report, St. Hugh's High School received the top award, the IoJ Shield, for outstanding craftsmanship. Leather craft and sculpture were the strongest items in the school's display of pencil drawings, graphic posters, and lettering. Of particular interest was a puppetry display by 17-year-old Orphia Cornwall, and a leather-feather costume created by her classmate Davia Lindsay.
The Robert Verity trophy was awarded to Seaforth High School for outstanding 'experimental' work.
"The variety of work submitted by this school showed a consistency of experimentation with mixed media," said the judges' report. "The experiment with mixed media could not be overlooked as it was inspiring to see a presentation of consistently good quality. Two-dimensional compositions, interesting drawings, along with the ceramic pieces, all complemented the display. We urge this school to continue exploring the media and maintain the standard."
Kingston-based Seaward Primary and Junior High School received the Hugh Dawes trophy as the best overall primary school in the competition. The variety of works included papier mâché sculptures, posters, textiles, and matchbox creations. The school was also praised for "imaginative" picture frames.
Four schools received certificates of merit for achievements in specific areas. St. Andrew High School for Girls was praised for its "delightful" ceramic offerings which included whimsical, animal-shaped teapots, while pencil drawings, paintings and sculpture
completed the array.
HIGHLIGHT
Small sculptural forms were the highlight of the display presented by Pembroke Hall High. In fact, it is the fifth consecutive year that the school has been commended for its efforts in this category. The school also offered a variety of drawings, paintings, posters, textiles, bags made from coconut shells, and leather craft (belts, bags and purses).
Among the colourful paintings were Liberation Song by 15-year-old Tamara Cousins (drawing on the theme of the controversial statues at Emancipation Park in New Kingston), Eye of the Beholder (Omar Sinclair), A Thing of Beauty (Tamara Cousins) and Time (Shantal Smith).
However, the judges urged the school to improve standards, as "we have seen this school demonstrate better quality work in the past."
Speaking to The Sunday Gleaner after the ceremony, Dave Grant, head of the art department at Pembroke Hall High, explained that it was on short notice that the school submitted works on hand.
"As it is now, notices about the competition are sent out in March and entries submitted around October/November. Yet during the ensuing period, the organisers do not send out reminders to schools until it is almost late," he said. "We think that the organisers need to re-examine the competition, and send out reminders to schools, or make better use of the media to do so, if this is too costly."
Special mention was made of the eye-catching pen and ink drawings submitted by Queen's High School, while the competence in sculpture relief and printmaking from the boys at Wolmer's Boys' School was commended.
SCULPTURAL FORMS
Among the school's outstanding sculptural forms were works executed by 17-year-old Jermaine Holness ('Life After Liberation' and 'Dawning') and jewellery creatively craft by Sheldon Thompson and Sean Witter, which incorporated found objects.
The work from Spaldings High was mostly still life and ceramics, while papier mâché was produced by Ardenne Extension. Textile, sculpture and macramé were the highlights of entries from Bishop Gibson High; Ensom City High produced attractive embroidery works, while soft toys were among the display from Excelsior Education Centre.
The range of works covered drawing, painting, sculpture, fabric decoration, ceramics, printing, leather craft, decorative craft and graphics, and awards were made on the basis of composition and design, craftsmanship, originality, finish and presentation. Certificates of participation were presented to all schools.
