Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

William Clarke (left) cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremony for Gallery Barrington, as Melvin Watson, brother of Barrington Watson, looks on. - photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

"The genius of God has expressed itself in you," said the Honourable Sir Howard Cooke, Jamaica's former Governor-General, as he lauded renowned artist Barrington Watson at the opening of his 'Gallery Barrington', held on Monday at the gallery on Old Hope Road.

More persons sang Watson's praises that night, including his friend and art collector Wycliffe Bennett, who confessed that the first painting he ever owned was a portrait of his wife Hazel that 'Barry' gave him as a gift in 1964. According to Mr. Bennett, Mr. Watson's works reveal an affinity for beautiful Jamaican women, and upon inspection of the pieces on display, that affinity became evident.

Among the pieces are some paintings that were shown at the first Gallery Barrington at Union Square in Cross Roads almost four decades ago, and at this the fourth instalment of Gallery Barrington, Watson still displays his understanding and appreciation of the Jamaican world through his art.

Keynote speaker William Clarke, the president and CEO of the Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica, gave a new perspective on the future of Jamaican art as he spoke extensively on its untapped economic potential.

Art is still underexploited

"Despite the outstanding work of people like Barry Watson, art is still underexploited as a tool for national and social development," he said. He pointed out that, "Jamaica is well known for the performing arts, but we have not begun to exploit the visual arts as a tool for economic and social deve-lopment." Watson and Clarke then cut the ceremonial ribbon on the front door.

For the remainder of the evening, guests gushed at the artistry of 'Barry's' hand, which included a selection of his paintings and sculptures. One painting in particular, 'Triangle', drew much attention from those trying to decipher the actions, and sex, of the persons portrayed in the piece.

Among the guests were the former GermanAmbassador Volker Schlegel; Ms. Jamaica World 1978 Joan McDonald; Wycliffe Bennett and wife, Dr. Hazel Bennett; sculptor Christopher Gonzalez; famously eccentric and accomplished photographer Ken Ramsey; and Joseph A. Matalon.

Left: Christopher Gonzalez and Judith Blake looking at a controversial piece, 'Triangle'. Right: William Clarke (left) and artist par excellence Owen Minott.