National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), on Sunday, September 28, 2025, opened the ‘One Nation, New Symbols’ exhibition to the public with entertainment provided by Fatalic Sounds.
Monique Barnett-Davidson, curator of the ‘One Nation, New Symbols’ exhibition at the National Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ) says it is the perfect opportunity to depict various aspects of authentic Jamaican history with a modern twist.
“The key vision behind the One Nation, New Symbols exhibition is the fostering of civic dialogue through the work of Jamaican visual artists, as they celebrate, challenge and reimagine various symbols that shape our nationhood. From national emblems to everyday icons, the 43 artists featured in this national art show demonstrate that the visual arts reflect and shape public consciousness, especially when rooted in lived Jamaican experiences,” she told the Jamaica Observer.
The exhibition will remain on view until March 29, 2026.
Participating artists include Justeen Bailey; Kobi Bailey; Kimani Beckford; Stephanie Brown; Dana-Marie Bullock; Karlando Butt; Margaret Chen; Tiana Christie; Robin Clare; Katrina Coombs; Francis Coombs; Keith Anthony Cousins; Javier Dayes; Neila Ebanks and Nadejah; Shediene Fletcher; Jonel Forsythe; Kyle Gooden; Dwayne Grant; Christopher Harris; Jordan Harrison; Kirk Henriques; Hanif James; Andy Jefferson; Oxana Lim; Malcolm Lindsay; Dushaine Lorraine; Tajhore Lynch; Jhada & Jonadee Martin; Garvin Millen; Rashleigh Morris; Kate Moyston; Yulanah Mullings; Oliver Myrie; Victoria Neil; Janice Reid; O’Neil Scott; Shedding and Nourishment by Afe Abeni & Chinelle Miller; Ammoy Smith; Joshua Solas; David Sykes; Isabel-Marie Thwaites; Trudy-Ann Webb, and Delford Wilson.
The NGJ put out a a public call for submissions for the exhibition which ran from March to June earlier this year. The 166 applicants who qualified participated in two rounds of judging officiated by a jury panel of stakeholder representatives, who eventually made a final selection.
Barnett-Davidson explained that among the main reasons for the exhibition is reimagining national symbolism through contemporary art, centring Jamaican artistic voices in national discourse, and facilitating civic dialogue through accessible, public-facing exhibition strategies.
“To provide a public platform for Jamaican artists to respond to current social, political, and cultural conditions through visual language, building on a tradition of art as social commentary,” she added.
— Kediesha Perry