A colorful painting of a Jamaican woman, wearing colorful clothing, earrings, and a headwrap, standing in front of a background that includes a map of Jamaica.

Jamaican Journey

Acrylic

2021

58x42 cm

This portrait of my mother celebrates her Jamaican heritage, and the journey she has taken from one home to another, new home.

What makes my mother’s journey from Jamaica to the UK so meaningful is that her culture and origin would follow her. We see this everywhere in today’s multi-cultural societies – where diverse expressions of culture and migration bring beautiful traditions from around the world closer to home.

Close-up image of a colorful, portrait painting of a Jamaican woman, wearing vibrant clothing with various patterns and textures and featuring a string of white beads with colorful accents.

In the portrait, my mother wears a vibrant Jamaican headwrap draped over her shoulders, her expression both regal and serene. The headwrap originated in Africa, reaching Jamaica through the transatlantic slave trade. To trace this journey further, the background features an old British-colonial map, revealing another layer of her story rooted in resilience and heritage. Together, these elements – history, origin, and a personal narrative – evoke a celebration of culture and a beautiful portrayal of my mother through a narrative lens.

Close-up image of a colorful, portrait painting of a Jamaican woman, wearing vibrant clothing with various patterns and textures and featuring a string of white beads with colorful accents.
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