Photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
LEFT: British artist Gerard Hanson (right) tells Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall (second left) and Lady Hall more about his work, while Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni looks on. The European Union sponsored Hanson's exhibition, which was opened at Devon House last Tuesday.
RIGHT: Family members came out to support Gerard Hanson at his first solo exhibition. Here, cousins Patricia Hanson (right) and little Kimberley Thomas view one of his pieces.

Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Though he wasn't born here, Gerard Hanson's heritage is quite Jamaican, and he wants the world to know.

The United Kingdom-based artist, along with the European Union (EU) delegation in Jamaica, opened his exhibit, 'Jamaica Was My Father's Home', at the Devonshire, Devon House, on Tuesday. The works depict life in the rural area of New Roads, Westmoreland, from where his father hails.

First solo effort

The exhibit was Hanson's first solo effort and he was delighted by the attendance of dignitaries and practitioners of the arts. He has learned from modern British and American masters and studied his craft at the Central St Martins College of Arts and Design in London.

The pieces show all aspects of life, not just in New Roads, but Jamaica in general as most persons, especially the locals, had seen similar episodes of life all across the island. The best paintings tell great tales and Hanson's work is a great story.

Guests out included: Belgian Ambassador Herman Portocarero and wife Miriam, French Ambas-sador Francis Hurtut, Colombian Ambassador Dr Ventura Emilio Diaz-Mejia, Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino and wife Fanny, Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda, German Ambassador Jurgen Engel, Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia and wife Luz Santamaria, Carlo Pettinato, Morin Seymour, Robert Mac-Millan, Pierre and Karlene Lemaire, Norma Harrack, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy, Gilou Bauer and Dawn Campbell.