‘One Nation, New Symbols’ exhibition opened at National Gallery of Jamaica

THE NATIONAL Gallery of Jamaica (NGJ), located in the Kingston Mall in downtown, was swarmed with patrons on the evening of Sunday, September 28, as it opened its newest exhibition, ‘One Nation, New Symbols’ (ONNS). The space was packed with people from all walks of Jamaican life, depicting the essence of the show. And, of course, they have different perspectives on Jamaican life.

“When we say ‘one nation’, reference is made to a country where people come together despite or regardless of their differences. Jamaica’s motto, ‘Out of Many, One People’, is a great example of this idea. It means that even though Jamaicans come from different backgrounds, they are a united people, and that unity is important for the country’s independence.

“However, people have different opinions about what it means to be ‘one nation’ in Jamaica, and there’s ongoing debate about it,” Monique Barnett-Davidson, senior curator at the NGJ, and curator of ONNS, told The Gleaner, post-event

On Sunday, she told the gathering, “The exhibition that the National Gallery of Jamaica opens today explores a subject that generates various types of national/societal debates, given that at the core of such debates is the question, what represents and what misrepresents? Based on that understanding, I invite you to approach the works selected for ‘One Nation, New Symbols’, with not only the eyes of an art appreciator, but also the mind of a citizen.”

Fifty diverse pieces from 46 artists are on show. Each artwork label features a QR code, which, when scanned, will enable visitors to engage with other aspects of that artist’s portfolio and career activities and achievements. Two publications, an exhibition booklet and a catalogue book which feature the judges’ report for this year and ONNS curatorial statement, the artists’ bios and statements and high-definition photographic reproductions may be obtained from the NGJ at a cost.

“I believe this exhibition is one of the National Gallery of Jamaica’s most important initiatives. This exhibition is part of a series of open-call exhibitions which have successfully enabled us to unearth new and emerging talent, as well as providing a vital platform for these artists to present their work to the public. I am particularly impressed with the artwork selected and currently on display. The pieces showcase the real potential for the future of Jamaican art,”Chief NGJ curator, O’Neil Lawrence, told The Gleaner.

There are plans to roll out a Viewers’ Choice Award in January 2026 to give visitors a chance to vote for their favourite ONNS artwork. The winner stands to win $200,000, donated by Haagen Dazs ice cream, which was much sampled at Sunday’s event.

In her remarks to the gathering, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, among other things, said, “From Independence to this very moment, art has been central to how we see ourselves, and how we present ourselves to the world. It is through our music, our dance, our fashion, and, yes, our visual art, that we declare, pretty clear, this is Jamaica, resilient, innovative, spiritual, and bold.

“This exhibition asks us to look again at the symbols that have shaped us, our emblems, our icons, our imagery, and to ask, ‘what do these mean to us now? And what new symbols can carry us forward into the future? … I want to commend the National Gallery of Jamaica and the Institute of Jamaica for curating such an inclusive platform, one that welcomes artists from home and abroad, from emerging voices to established masters, this openness reflects the truth of Jamaica itself, diverse, dynamic, and always evolving.”

The ‘One Nation, New Symbols’ exhibition runs until March 29, 2026, with viewing hours from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays to Sundays. The exhibition is closed on Mondays. Admission is free on Sundays, while on the other days, the entry fee is $400 for adults, $200 for senior citizens, and is free for children and students with identification.