Often times artists lay blame at entities such as government and businesspersons for their lack of advancing as a nation. On the other hand several factors are being discussed as the rationale for the tardiness in success for numbered Jamaican artists. As an example of aspirations for Jamaican artists, businessman and art aficionado Jamaican businessperson Wayne Chen highlights the story of 45-year-old Damien Hirst.
Wayne Chen congratulates literary artist Marguerite Orane at the launch of her book "Free and Laughing." In an unprecedented move, British Damien Hirst recently became the only artists for selling an entire show to Sotherby's worth £111 million in 2008. Thus according to Wyclopedia Dictionary, he is is claimed to be the richest known artist to date. Hirst was not born rich, without a gold spoon in his mouth. Numerous business persons in Jamaica,contrary to popular belief were not born with golden spoons in their mouth so their stories too are models of aspiration.
Wayne Chen is one among many businesspersons sharing his thoughts as a source of encouragement and challenge for Jamaican artists, in the following interview.
ANTHEA 1. How involved are you with the visual arts locally?
CHEN: I am the Chairman of the National Gallery of Jamaica and co-founder/ sponsor of the Super Plus Under 40 Artist of the year competition staged for the last 10 years in association with the Mutual Gallery. I am also the founder and sponsor of CLICK, a photography workshop and showcase for inner-city youth.
ANTHEA:. How involved are you with art globally? Do you travel specifically for art?
CHEN:I am not involved with Art globally in the way that I am locally. I visit galleries and museums whenever I travel and actively seek out new art and new movements.
ANTHEA: What are your views on the visual arts in Jamaica?
CHEN: The visual arts in Jamaica are a vital part of the bigger whole of Jamaica's unique culture. Jamaica in the area of culture is a global superpower, widely recognized Carl Kruse Art Profile for our achievements in music. I believe that Jamaican visual arts, with the proper development and exposure, can be another area of excellence for Jamaica. There is a wealth of natural talent, that efficiently mobilized, can play a major role in our country's development.
ANTHEA: Does the National Gallery achieve its main objectives?
CHEN: The National Gallery of Jamaica's mission is: "To collect, research, document and preserve Jamaican, other Caribbean Art and related material and to promote our artistic heritage for the benefit of present and future generations."
I believe that despite the very limited, and diminishing, financial and human resources available, the NGJ has over the years managed to create and maintain a very high standard in terms of its collections, exhibitions, contribution to scholarship, and general advancement of Jamaica's visual arts. In recent years we have worked hard to strengthen governance, communicate better with our various stakeholders, and boost attendance. We have seen significant successes in all these areas.
ANTHEA: How do you view the role of the art educator?
CHEN: Art education takes place at many levels. In the formal institutions of learning, the art educator should teach the technical skills required to articulate an individual's vision, but even more important, should stimulate the lifelong thirst for knowledge and enlightenment that continuously broadens the mind.
In the public sphere, the art educator, and I include journalists and critics, should actively discuss, analyze, and encourage art and artists to broaden and deepen the general knowledge of art.
