Jamaica is BOLD,BLACK and CREATIVE
My name is Jamaica or Jam. I'm a Jamaican queer + trans person.
What do you do?
I’m a visual artist, a published writer and a community arts facilitator working in Toronto and across the Durham Region.
How has being Black, queer, and trans shaped the way you navigate the art world, and what shifts would you like to see in the industry?
My identities inspire me to aim for opportunities that positively impact my communities. I’ve focused less on getting my work into galleries and more on creating communal spaces that centre the lived experiences and cater to the needs of immigrants, Black, Indigenous and racialized folks. I’d like to see more funding opportunities for individual artists and collectives that allow us to pay ourselves, as most grants necessitate non profit or charitable status which maintains the capitalist status quo.
What are some moments in your career where you felt the most seen and valued as an artist?
I’ve felt most validated as an artist when receiving affirmation from other Black queer and trans artists and community members. In particular after having organized and facilitated communal spaces like virtual art hangs and art workshops, when people let me know that being in shared space has warmed their hearts or led to new friendships. My aim is to build loving communal spaces so receiving messages that let me know people needed and felt that love and affirmation in spaces I’ve facilitated let’s me know I’m doing this work in a good way.
As someone working across multiple mediums, how do you challenge the traditional expectations placed on Black queer artists?
As an abstract artist I challenge norms by moving beyond traditional forms of representation. Representation of Black and queer life in art and media is necessary but not the pinnacle of our creative potential. I focus less on realism and the body and more on how art can serve as spiritual medicine and transmutation.
If you had unlimited resources, what kind of creative space or platform would you build for Black queer and trans artists?
If I had all the money and resources in the world, I’d create a studio space where queer, trans, disabled, Black, Indigenous, racialized and newcomer artists could drop in to create, collaborate, generate new ideas, rest, play, cook and eat together. There would be every art supply imaginable, a mural on the outside of the building, all the entrances would be wheelchair accessible. There would be events like radical book clubs, open mic nights, sewing classes, and opportunities for skill sharing. I hope to one day bring this space to life!
