This Alvin Marriot piece, table with nude female support, is one item on display in the exhibition, 'Modern Interiors, Jamaican Style, 20th-Century Furniture in Jamaica'. - Contributed photos

THE MUSUEMS of History and Ethnography division of the Institute of Jamaica curated the sequel of its first furniture exhibition with the opening of 'Modern Interiors, Jamaican Style, 20th-Century Furniture in Jamaica' exhibition on Sunday, September 7, at the Institute of Jamaica Exhibition Gallery.

Similar to 'Folk, Fancy, Fashionable, Fine: Furniture in Jamaica 1720-1900', which was mounted in April 2007, this exhibition examines the historical development of furniture making in Jamaica, paying particular attention to the furnishings of the 20th century.

Modern Interiors follows a very loose chronology, moving from the late 19th century to the present. The themes covered by this second phase of the furniture exhibition include 19th and early 20th century, folk/intuitive furniture, industrial furniture, classic revivals, Jamaican deco, art furniture and the present.

cabinet-making industry

The exhibition features pieces from the Institute of Jamaica and National Gallery of Jamaica collections. Many pieces were showcased from the David Boxer and Wallace Campbell collections, as well as other private collectors. Items on display include dressers, wardrobes, tables, bed headboards, chairs, lamps, trinket boxes from Jamaica's 20th-century era of furniture making.

'Folk, Fancy, Fashionable, Fine: Furniture in Jamaica 1720-1900' explored the growth and development of the cabinet-making industry up to the late 1900s. 'Modern Interiors, Jamaican Style, 20th- Century Furniture in Jamaica' continues the exploration of the cabinet-making industry in Jamaica from the 20th century to the present.

The exhibition is mounted at the Exhibition Gallery of the Institute of Jamaica, corner of East and Tower streets. It will run from September 7, 2008-November 2008, and is open to the public Mondays-Thursdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

(from left): Dr Jonathan Greenland embraces Sue McManus of SuperClubs. Dr Rebecca Tortello looks at an ink well carved by Alvin Marriott. In the background, Hon Maurice Facey, O.J. converses with Ruby Martin. Dr James Robertson is seen further in the background.

Chairman of the Council Board of the Institute of Jamaica, Professor Barry Chevannes, and Dr Rebecca Tortello, chairman, Museums of History and Ethnography management board, examine a chair with leopard-skin pattern from the David Boxer Collection on display at the exhibition.