Visual arts began in Jamaica in the early to middle 1900s and became noticed in the 1920s through the art of self-taught artists who developed their own styles. Kapo is the best known of these early pioneers in Jamaican art. Mainstream art in Jamaica, in the early days, were strongly influenced by European art and by the 1940s, the desire for Jamaican independence was an important theme for artistic expressions. Edna Manley, who later taught, and founded the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, led that movement. African cultural influence on mainstream art in Jamaica came later on, when younger practitioners such as Kofi Kayiga, Christopher Gonzalez and Gene Pearson were inspired by the teachings of Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The maturity of Jamaican art today is evident in the wide range of media, styles and subject matters exhibited in the National Gallery and galleries throughout the island and overseas, and displayed in public buildings and in private collections. Young artists who are making their mark in Jamaica include K Khalfani Ra, Ebony Grace Patterson and Michael Layne. Jamaican visual artists who have worked abroad and have returned to make their contribution include Opio Yaw Asante, formerly Horace Donovan, who is featured in this web-site.
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