KOTE 2014 - Social Atrocities
Kingston on the Edge (KOTE) is the brainchild of five friends (Beatriz Pozueta, Carolyn Lazarus, Enola Williams, Joaquin Portocarero and Omar Francis) who wanted to showcase Jamaican artists in a creative and free manner. The festival is a weeklong celebration of art and the artists who live and work in and/or are inspired by the city of Kingston, and has quickly become a much anticipated fixture on the local art calendar.
Providing a forum outside of the traditional spaces, the Festival allows the artists to express themselves and push the boundaries and definitions of their art and offers an opportunity for artists, venues and the general public to interact creatively, with a view to developing and harnessing the incredible artistic potential of Jamaica. We have found that this environment motivates and inspires the artist to experiment with their work, often leading to the birth of new and exciting movements in the local scene.
The festival features painting, sculpture, photography, film, poetry, dance, theatre, music, performance art, installations and anything else one can think of in the realm of artistic expression, and is the only one of its kind in the country.
On Thursday June 26th, the Olympia Gallery and House of the Arts will host the opening reception for a highly anticipated fine art exhibition dubbed “Social Atrocities.” Three local artists will display paintings addressing social issues often ignored or overlooked. Though they all have varying styles of execution their main aim is synonymous; to allow the viewer to question their realities and acknowledge unavoidable truths. These young Jamaican artists seek your assistance with creating an impact surrounding various cultures and classes while using their art as a tool to document social activities and personal views on reality. Come on out and show your support for contemporary Jamaican Art.There is no cover charge however patrons will be accommodated in purchasing their favourite pieces. This event is a part of the K.O.T.E. Urban Arts Festival 2014.
GREG BAILEY
“Your greatest obstacle is yourself.”
This figurative painter sees himself as a filter between society (the art public) and art (images created). Greg Bailey magnetized inspiration from Jamaica’s social landscape to fuel the fire behind the body of work that will be on display at this month’s anticipated upcoming exhibition, “Social Atrocities.”Bailey has high hopes for the future of Jamaican art considering he himself ‘answered a calling’ when he decided to pursue a career in this field.
“My interests and heartfelt passion has never wondered in the direction of another career path,” he told the HOA Team as we picked his brain in an effort to understand him better. More particularly, he strongly believes that growth is inevitable for this field and all those involved in it. He admires a string of phenomenal artist who have gone ahead of him and paved the way for present and future artists.
To date, his biggest achievement as a creative being has been exhibiting at the 2012 National Biennial at the National Gallery of Jamaica.
MONIQUE LOFTERS