Michael Robinson, Gleaner Writer

Multimedia pieces by Mimi Shapiro from the exhibition, 'The Possibility of Zero', at Bolivar Gallery. - photos by Michael Robinson

Grove Road, near Half-Way Tree, is home to one of Jamaica's oldest galleries. Established in 1965 by Hugh Dunphy, Bolivar Gallery has, at one time or another, housed the works of just about every major artist on the Jamaican scene. Edna Manley, Carl Abrahams, Colin Garland, Hope Brooks and Eric Cadien are just a few of the talents to have graced the walls here.

Entrance to the gallery is gained through a small, red metal door, which opens like a Lewis Carroll rabbit hole on to a lush courtyard filled with Balinese art and countless other pieces of interest. Just inside the main entrance are hand-carved doors for sale, their aged and weathered appearance lending them an honest charm.

At the centre of the courtyard is an Indonesian wooden hut. The small open-sided hut, with its raised flooring, is inviting amid the greenery. Beside it, a hand-made door erected over the walkway leads to Burnt Sienna, a flower shop specialising in Ecuadorian flowers.

Also on the courtyard's perimeter is the gallery started in the '60s, when Dunphy witnessed the energy and proliferation of activity on the local art scene. Born at a time of intense creativity, Bolivar Gallery still exudes a kind of eclectic freedom in the décor, as well as the choice of pieces on display.

Part of the current display are multimedia pieces from the last exhibition opened here, 'The Possibility of Zero'. Mimi Shapiro, the featured artist, is a painter and poet whose pieces each have an accompanying bit of verse printed in the hand-bound catalogue. In one series, the poems are written on the matte and framed with the corresponding images. She uses collage techniques, at times incorporating material like bits of mirror and printed images of classical art.

The room is full of art pieces and furniture made in places like Bali and India. Books are also on sale, covering topics ranging from poetry to art to the Egyptian and Tibetan Books of the Dead. Perusing the titles alone is an exercise that engages to the point of distraction. Occasionally, the gallery mounts book exhibits as part of a holistic approach to art.

exhibition of Tibetan articles coming June

The gallery has an exhibition of Tibetan articles coming in June. Featured pieces will include furniture, ornaments, fabric and jewellery.

Before coming to Jamaica, the gallery's owner spent time studying and living in Japan. His time in the East seems to have informed his aesthetic and might account for the gallery's unique appeal.

Valuation and consultation services are offered by Bolivar Gallery, as well as framing. They also deal in antiques and assist in sourcing and importing art and furniture. Their West India Room houses antique maps and prints of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

an interesting experience

Although off the beaten path and a little quiet of late, Bolivar Gallery remains an interesting experience and a valuable resource. With art and books that can't be found anywhere else, it's always worth the visit - even if you've been there before.

The fact that nearly half a century later Bolivar Gallery is still part of this country's 'artscape' is testament to one man's passion for art. With such an array of offerings and a well-rounded approach to the business of art, chances are Dunphy's gallery will be around for some time to come.