Ebony G Patterson makes statement
MAKING the invisible visible. That’s the aim of visual artist Ebony G Patterson in her work displayed inside the historic Devon House mansion as part of the Jamaica Biennial, organised by the National Gallery of Jamaica.
Patterson, who is known for her visually shocking work brimming with social commentary, stuck to that theme in the assemblages which cover the floors of the foyer and ballroom of the mansion which was once home to the National Gallery.
While the piece on the lower level — Trunk Stump and Dominoes – Dead Trees — is impressive, it is Lily Carnations and Rosebuds which stops viewers in their tracks and results in moments of contemplation.
Patterson explains that the mixed media jacquard tapestry is compiled from crime scene photos and represents some of the grotesque images which have been uploaded to social media, particularly of the bodies of people from a lower socio-economic standing.
“A lot of people just see the bling and colour in my work. That is just a means to bring the messages to the fore, so the glitter is a sort of seduction, but once you are drawn in you realise that something is not quite right. It is used in the same way that these marginalised groups use, for example, a bling funeral to make themselves seen or even for the ones who bleach their skin… if they didn’t bleach their skin a lot of them would not be seen,” she explained.
For Patterson, displaying the work at Devon House is perfect.
“The mansion is perfect for my work, it fits in with the theme perfectly, it allows the invisible to be seen in a space like this.”
This year, the Jamaica Biennial, which officially opens this Sunday, is spreading its wings. In addition to the main installation at the National Gallery in downtown Kingston, art lovers will also be able to view works at Devon House and the National Gallery West located inside the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square, St James.
Ebony Patterson is joined by other artists including Oneika Russell and sculptor Laura Facey, who is best known for her controversial work Redemption Song — a figure of two nudes looking skyward which graces the ceremonial entrance of Emancipation Park in the Corporate Area.
