GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Councillor Alva Suckoo welcomed the natural affiliation of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands Friday night when he attended the opening of the National Gallery’s’ Jamaican Art exhibition.

Mr. Suckoo, who was representing Health, Sports, Youth and Culture Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden, addressed the large crowd of art enthusiasts gathered at the Gallery which included the Jamaican Leader of the Opposition Hon. Andrew Holness; Cayman’s Leader of the Opposition Hon. McKeeva Bush; NGCI Director Natalie Urquhart; and NGJ Curators Dr. Veerle Poupeye and O’Neil Lawrence.

The Jamaican Art exhibit is a collaboration between the National Galleries of both Jamaica and Cayman, and the works being displayed were pieces created during a time of intense change in Jamaica

“With any period of intense change, a nation and its people are pushed, stretched and remolded and with it so too is its culture, and its cultural expressions, both tangible and intangible. This period in Jamaica, the birth of its nationhood, inspired its own urgent and unique cultural and artistic production,” he said.

Mr. Suckoo acknowledged his own sister, Mrs. Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette and her husband Mr. Randy Chollette, who are both recognised local artists.

“With my family’s mixed Caymanian and Jamaican parentage, there is little doubt that the works produced by my sister are a fusion of Jamaican and Caymanian influences,” he said.

Mrs. Urquhart was excited to host the exhibit.

“We were delighted with the turnout at the opening reception of our new exhibition Jamaica Art: 1960s & 1970s, which features a collection of works from the National Gallery of Jamaica. This exhibition marks important international collaboration between NGCI and our counterpart NGJ. It is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the long cross-cultural relationship between our two countries and to open up new dialogue between our cultural organizations and our artists,” she said.

The National Gallery is now looking to work with its Jamaican counterpart to create exhibits of Caymanian works to go on display in Jamaica.

Photo credit David Goddard:

Caption – Dr. Marzouca (Hon. Jamaican Consul); Natalie Urquhart (Director, NGCI); Hon. Andrew Holness (Leader of the Opposition); Hon. McKeeva Bush (Leader of the Opposition – Cayman Islands); Councilior Alva Suckoo (Councillor to the Minster of Home & Community Affairs); and Elaine Harris (Vice-Consul).