The PSSA Marsh Awards 2023: "THE PUBLIC VOTE"
for the most popular new sculpture shortlisted for
the 2023 Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture
Winner: Basil Watson for
The National Windrush Monument
The Public Statues and Sculpture Association (PSSA) November 2023
Basil Watson
The National Windrush Monument
at Waterloo Station, London
‘The National Windrush Monument has been my personal Empire Windrush voyage, literally and figuratively transporting me along a journey through my past, present and into the future. It has opened insights into my past that were seemingly meaningless dots within my history, and connected them with my present experiences and is propelling me into a future that has a new perspective and appreciation of who I am. My parents were early Windrush generation pioneers, meeting on the ship to London in about 1952, spending a decade in the pursuit of betterment then returning to a newly independent Jamaica in 1962. My father would say that he is a “ship with a set rudder” and this monument has helped me to plot the course he and others traversed as they embarked on a mission of self-advancement, while rebuilding a Britain that they somewhat regarded as their motherland, and you recognise the challenges they faced.
Decked in their special attire along with their bulging suitcases, it clearly demonstrates that this was a special journey and a seismic moment in history. This monument means so much to so many and it has been a great honour to have been challenged with the responsibility of creating it, and now this recognition by the PSSA is further gratification that carries the journey over the top.’
Basil Watson October 2023
The Public Statues and Sculpture Association (PSSA)
The PSSA encourages engagement with the many thousands of sculptures in the public domain across the UK, which represent an important part of our shared cultural heritage. It champions the historical, artistic and social context of public statues and sculpture, and also promotes education about sculpture, publishing articles, academic papers and specialist books.
Read the PSSA Article in full...
Jamaican Arts Ambassador Theresa Roberts To Showcase Women Artists At London Art Fair
B:M2023 - Black History Month October 2023
Jamaican arts ambassador Theresa Roberts will showcase a selection of works by female Jamaican artists at the 2023 Women in Art Fair in London from 11-14 October. The stand titled ‘Jamaican Women in Art’ will highlight both established and emerging talent and the vital contribution of Jamaican women to the arts.

Roberts, who was appointed Jamaican Ambassador for Arts and Culture in May 2023, has spent over 20 years championing Jamaican art in the UK and Europe. Her personal collection contains works gathered over decades and she is passionate about supporting women artists from the island.
The Women in Art Fair stand will include paintings, sculptures, textiles and more covering themes such as identity, culture, nature and spirituality. It will showcase Jamaican female talent past and present across diverse mediums.
Roberts said: “I’m so proud to showcase the breadth of creativity amongst Jamaican women at this prestigious fair. Their work deserves to be seen by wider audiences and I hope this stand will open up new opportunities for these exceptional artists.”
The Ambassador has organised numerous exhibitions of Jamaican art, most recently ‘Sweetness and Sorrow’ at the University of East London in 2022. She aims to foster cultural exchange and appreciation for Jamaican art.
The Women in Art Fair at the Mall Galleries is the UK’s leading art fair dedicated to female creators across all mediums and eras. Women in Art Fair runs 11-14 October
Read the Black History Month Article.
Black Circle Gallery at the Women in Art Fair - WIAF 2023
Mall Galleries, London, 11 - 14 October 2023
WIAF is First global women’s art fair, the open call received over 1000 applications, over 200+ artworks, 150 artist and galleries participating, 5 continents of the world represented over 4 days at the @mallgalleries @friezeofficial
@womeninartfairofficial - Women in Art Fair - is a new art fair dedicated to readdressing the gender imbalance in the art industry. WIAF seeks to create a positive global fair, from which women and those identifying as women, are given an opportunity to show their work and contribute to developing the exchange of ideas around gender, and culture.
Open Instagram Reel!
Read the Mall Galleries Article
Ebony G. Patterson Brings a Crowd to the New York Botanical Garden
New York Times - June 2023
Until Sept. 17, New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, N.Y.
PM Holness appoints Theresa Roberts as new ambassadors / Special Investment Envoy
Instagram May 2023
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has appointed four new ambassadors who will also serve as Special Investment Envoys.
In a statement announcing the move the Office of the Prime Minister, OPM, says all four will play pivotal roles in attracting investment and driving economic growth. The four new Ambassadors/Special Investment Envoys are:
Mrs. Theresa Roberts
Ambassador/Special Investment Envoy for Culture and Arts
&
Mr. Adam Stewart
Ambassador/Special Investment Envoy for Tourism
Mr. Lloyd Carney
Ambassador/Special Investment Envoy for Technology
Mr. Dushyant Savadia
Ambassador/Special Investment Envoy for Technology
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Bruce Golding opens Jamaican exhibition in the UK
Former prime minister Bruce Golding, Theresa Roberts and artist Basil Watson at the opening of a Jamaican art exhibition in the United Kingdom on February 19. (Photo contributed)
“Our Today“, 23 February 2022
Jamaican-born UK-based businesswoman and philanthropist, Theresa Roberts’ private art collection represents the passion and creative skill of some of the island’s most talented artists.
Read On...
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Former Prime Minister of Jamaica opens Victoria Gallery and Museum Exhibition with Art Jamaica Art Collection
University Liverpool, 22 February 2022
Dr Roberts (pictured above) said: “As Curator, after four years of preparation for the Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection exhibition, it was moving to witness the private view opening evening. I was honoured and humbled to see the appreciation of the visitors, and to have the exhibition opened by Rt. Hon Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, who flew thousands of miles from Jamaica especially to be there.
“The University of Liverpool is my alma mater, and years ago I took my examinations in the Victoria Building before it was converted into the gallery and museum. It was wonderful to see how my life is again entwined with the building and with the University of Liverpool. I am delighted to have worked with the team at the Victoria Gallery and Museum on this historic exhibition for Liverpool.”
A programme of events and activities accompanies the exhibition. Details of these alongside further information about the exhibition can be found at this VG&M feature page.
`Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection’ opens to the public on Saturday, 19 February and runs until Saturday, 9 July 2022. Admission to the exhibition is free and the VG&M is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm.
Complementing the VG&M exhibition is `Retention of a Colonial Past’, a contemporary textile installation by Jamaican artist Desanna Watson Past. This is on display on the Ground Floor of LJMU’s Art & Design Building and Desanna Watson is artist in residence until March 9.
Photography: Ean Flanders
Read On...
An Interview with Visual Artist Kristina Rowe
University of Liverpool - stream.liv.ac.uk - Video and audio streaming & sharing
Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection is an upcoming exhibition at the University's Victoria Gallery & Museum. The exhibition showcases the vibrancy and variety of contemporary Jamaican art. Kristina Rowe is one of the artist's whose work is featured in this exhibition. Here, Rowe talks about her educational background in art, two of her featured works and the meaning behind them.
Watch the Video
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Former Prime Minister of Jamaica opens VG&M exhibition
The Rt Hon. Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, opened the highly anticipated ‘Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection’ exhibition at the Victoria Gallery & Museum on Friday evening.
“Prestigious Scholarships“, February 2022
The exhibition features a mix of established names and emerging talent in painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media from Theresa Roberts’ extensive private collection.
Theresa Roberts herself was amongst the guests who braved stormy conditions to attend the celebratory event to mark the opening of the exhibition. Also in attendance was Basil Watson, the son of Jamaican painter, Barrington Watson, both of whose art work is on display in the exhibition.
The Rt Hon. Bruce Golding said: “It is a wonderful privilege for me to join that shining star of Jamaica, Theresa Roberts, and her husband, Andrew, and to have been asked to declare open the exhibition “Jamaica Making” – a showcasing of Jamaican art depicting our people, culture and experiences over our 60 years of independence.”
The exhibition is curated by Dr Amanda Draper from the Victoria Gallery & Museum and Dr Emma Roberts, Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Program Leader of BA History of Art & Museum Studies at Liverpool John Moores University.
Read On...
Theresa Roberts’ private art collection to be shown in the UK
Victoria Gallery and Museum exhibit to celebrate Ja 60
“The Gleaner“, 20 February 2022
Jamaican-born UK-based businesswoman and philanthropist, Theresa Roberts’ private art collection represents the passion and creative skill of some of the island’s most talented artists.
Read On...
Profile Theresa Roberts
University Liverpool, February 2022
Theresa Roberts is a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur; founder and owner of the Jamaican Patty Co. based in Covent Garden.
Theresa was born in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica and lived there until she moved to London when she was eight years old. She began her carefully curated collection as a way of staying connected to her childhood and having little pieces of Jamaica around her in London.
Read On...
Exclusive exhibition of artwork coming to Liverpool - Liverpool Echo
The Guide Liverpool, 1 February 2022
Theresa Roberts, is the founder and owner of the Jamaican Patty Co. based in Covent Garden.
Theresa, who left Jamaica aged eight, began her carefully curated collection to stay connected to her childhood while in London, began collecting works by the ‘greats’ of the Jamaican art world, later focusing on up and coming artists.
Theresa has a home on the island where she hosts annual residencies for the Royal Drawing School.
Theresa said: "I had what I describe as an ‘organic’ childhood, very simple and natural.
Read On...
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Victoria Gallery & Museum set to launch new exhibition showcasing Jamaican art
The Guide Liverpool, 1 February 2022
A new exhibition showcasing the vibrancy and variety of contemporary Jamaican art since the country’s Independence in 1962 will open at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum on Saturday, 19 February.
The University of Liverpool: "An exhibition showcasing the vibrancy and variety of contemporary Jamaican art since the country’s Independence in 1962. Jamaican-born entrepreneur and philanthropist Theresa Roberts has kindly lent from her extensive private collection. It shows a Jamaica beyond the tourist idyll - a country with its challenges but a strong sense of identity and culture."
The ‘Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection’ exhibition will feature more than thirty artworks from the extensive private collection of Jamaican-born entrepreneur and philanthropist Theresa Roberts.
It is the first exhibition entirely of Jamaican art to take place in the north-west of England and offers a comprehensive presentation of the best of Jamaican art since the 1960s.
The exhibition features a mix of established names and emerging talent, expressing their world through a blend of painting, sculpture, photography and mixed-media.
Read On...
Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection
Galleries 6 & 7, 19 February - 9 July 2022
“New on the scene in Ocho Rios is The Courthouse Art Gallery & Craft Café”
The Style Observer, 30 January 2022
New on the scene in Ocho Rios is The Courthouse Art Gallery & Craft Café, opened on December 18, 2021 by Wendy Facey, Dianne Belnavis and Gabi Belnavis.
The Courthouse
Art Gallery * Craft * Cafe
Milford Road, Ocho Rios, just across from Turtle River Park
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Closed on Monday.
The Jamaica Making: The Theresa Roberts Art Collection book accompanies the art exhibition and includes, among other things, an official welcome from the prime minister of Jamaica, an essay by Theresa Roberts and an introduction by eminent British-Jamaican art historian Edward Lucie-Smith. (Photos: www.whsmith.co.uk and www. blackfoodclub.com)
Read on…
Diane Abbott Attends Jamaican Art Private View For Black History Month – and Seriously Rates ‘We Belong’ By Human Rights Lawyer-Poet and Artist, David Neita
Black History Month Org B:M2021 - 19 October 2021
Labour’s Diane Abbott, the MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington famously became the first black female MP to be elected into the British Parliament in 1987.
Ms Abbott attended the CharitableBookings.com Jamaican art launch event for Black History Month 2021, sponsored by Black History Month Magazine and Duppy Share Rum.
It was a living example of how incredibly far Jamaica has come on the world stage.
An exclusive private view was held in the Cadogan Square, London home of Jamaican Cultural Activist, Theresa Roberts on Fri 1st Oct. Roberts founded and owns her ‘Future Jamaica’ concept-store, The Jamacia Patty Company in Covent Garden and Liverpool Street.
Read on…
Black History Month 2021
Extract page 70 - October 2021
“Artists in Residence”
The Style Observer, 29 July 2018
Jamaica-born UK resident and promoter of all things Rock and fab Theresa Roberts has established The Hanover Grange Jamaica Residency in conjunction with Prince Charles’s Royal Drawing School.
Read the Jamaica Observer Article
Visit The Royal Drawing School - Residencies Jamaica Website
Hanover Grange's selected artists Oliver Macdonald Oulds and Cherie Smith
Jamaica Observer, 30 June 2019
The annual dinner for patrons and supporters of the Royal Drawing School hosted by Prince Charles and held at Buckingham Palace had a distinctly Jamaican theme this year.
The two keynote speeches were made by Oliver Macdonald Oulds and Cherie Smith, the two artists selected for the Hanover Grange Residency in Jamaica this year. Both speakers were enthusiastic about the opportunity afforded to them to work and paint in Jamaica for two weeks.
The Hanover Grange Residency is funded by Theresa and Andrew Roberts who are longstanding patrons of the Royal Drawing School, and Buckingham Palace habitues. This year they were joined by several individuals with Jamaican connections including celebrated fashion icon Ralph Lauren and family, philanthropist Michele Rollins and former US ambassador to Jamaica Brenda LaGrange Johnson.
Work from last year's Hanover Grange Residency was on display for the guests, who also included Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Viscount Linley, Lady Sarah Chatto, Demi Moore and Stephen Schwarzman, to enjoy.
Read on…
Phillip Thomas — An Artist In Residence
21 Sep 2014
 
"When Jamaican art took over London!"
“Voice Online“, 23 August 2017
IT WAS a blessing to attend the recent art exhibition, 'Jamaican Spiritual' at St. Stephen Walbrook Church in the heart of The City of London.
The City of London, also known as The Square Mile, is home to The Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Bank of England. It is essentially the hub of financial regulation, monarchical tradition and state religion in the United Kingdom.
It is within this context that 12 Jamaican artists thrust 18 amazing pieces of artwork unto the fabric of British society inviting stockbrokers, clergy, congregants, professors, pupils, medics, mendicants and more to view and absorb the phenomenal energy and vibe of their splendid and spiritually-significant works of art.
"When Jamaican art took centre-stage in the city of London"
“The Gleaner“, 4 August 2017
“Jamaican Spirituality on Display”
The Style Observer, 23 July 2017
Read on ...
“Jamaican Spirituality on Display”
The Style Observer, 23 July 2017Read on ...
"DISPATCH FROM LONDON: Jamaican Spirituality on Display"
“Jamaica Observer“, 23 July 2017
Earlier this summer, in an interesting little church in Central London, St Stephen Walbrook, British Jamaican art cognoscenti and patron Theresa Roberts curated a small but absorbing exhibition showcasing “Jamaican Spiritual” art. The show ran from July 3 to July 14 and while I missed the opening I was able to catch the exhibition a few days before it closed. I was glad I did.
There were only 20 pieces drawn from private collections, galleries and the artist themselves, but the 20 works shown captured a reasonable representation of our artistic efforts in recent times.
Read on…
"Jamaican Spiritual Art And Its Relationship To Religion
by Edward Lucie-Smith"
“ArtLyst“, 8 July 2017
A small confession to make here: I wrote a brief text for the catalogue of this show because Jamaica is where I originally come from. The subject of the exhibition is Jamaican art, manifested in its relationship to religion.
The feeling is not absolutely always related to the Christian faith. There is a fine Art Deco bronze here, representing Orpheus with his lyre, in a state of ecstasy. It is the work of Edna Manley, generally considered to be the founder of a recognisably Jamaican school of artists. She was also an important political figure, married to Norman Manley, one of the chief pioneers of Jamaican independence, leader of the Jamaican Peoples National Party, Chief Minister from 1955 to 1959, and Premier of Jamaica fro 1959 to 1962.
Read on…
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Jamaican Art – Intuitive Outsiders But With That Old Time Religion
6 June 2017 / Art Categories Features
ArtRabbit: Artist Carl Abrahams
Exhibition 'Jamaican Spiritual'
3 Jul 2017 – 14 Jul 2017
"Jamaican Connections"
19 July 2015
"Jamaican Connections"
West Briton Newspaper
"Falmouth's links with Jamaica explored in Falmouth Art Gallery exhibition"
"the Packet", 19 July 2015
Sep 2013
'Expressions of Güsten-Marr”
Art Jamaica recently curated EXPRESSIONS, the first exhibition of Gallery GM Read the article

Apr 2013
'Jamaica - Land She Loves”
Art collector Theresa Roberts on her passion for showcasing the work of Jamaican artists
Feb 2013
“The beauty of this country has taken my breath away, and the people are so welcoming and kind” Read the article
about Theresa Roberts by Janelle Oswald
'Jamaica's Been Framed'
Read the article
Art Connecting Countries
Andrea Wild Botero
Read the article
ART JAMAICA IN FASHION
Exhibition of fashion inspired by art in collaboration with Sharmain Forde Couture
8 – 13 August 2012, 27 Cork Street, London
"Art Jamaica in Fashion" is a show created by Art Jamaica in collaboration with Sharmain Forde Couture to celebrate elements of Jamaican culture which are world class but rarely exposed to the world outside Jamaica.
Theresa Roberts.
Images: THE STYLE OBSERVER JAMAICA, September 2012
Read the article Style Observer Art Jamaica Catalogue
Jamaica House celebrates Jamaica 50 in London with 'Art Jamaica in Fashion'
3 August 2012 FIRSTLOOK Press Release "Go Jamaica"
July 2012:
24 Feb 2012
Mica Paris in Concert at Hanover Grange
International Recording Star Mica Paris was the headline act at a charity concert and cocktail party held at Hanover Grange, Jamaica, on 19th March.
The concert was in aid of The Edna Manley Foundation which was represented on the night by Patricia Ramsey
Supporting acts were Kevor Williams and Tallulah Rendell.
Gleaner Article online
Dec 2010
Art Crosses the Pond
Read the article in Jamaica-Observer (PDF)
Dec 2010
Art Crosses the Pond
Read the article in Jamaica-Observer (PDF)
4-10 Nov 2010 (PDF):
Celebrating the Launch
ArtRabbit
Exhibition 'Art Jamaica'
21 Oct 2010 – 18 Nov 2010
