Cotton Tree

Near Roaring River, in the mountains of Westmoreland stands this ancient silk cotton tree. These incredible trees which were spiritual and sacred for the Taino (first inhabitants) have continued to be significant cultural landmarks across Jamaica. The cotton tree has served as a site for gatherings, rituals and ceremonies and are used in various medicinal remedies.

As I sat with Bobo and listened to his stories, I could feel the power and energy which emanated from this tree. Apparently there is always a blue house underneath a cotton tree, and this is where mermaids make their home.

 
 
Story gallery
Randy // Love
Randy // Love

While walking along a peaceful stretch of beach in St Elizabeth I met Randy. We talked for a while and he told me that he writes poetry. 'Love inspires me,' he told me. 'I didn't grow up with love, I spent a lot of time by myself as a child.'

Randy told me we wasn’t taught how to love, but it has been something which he has found strength and purpose in.

Randy is soft spoken and very shy. He explained to me that finding people to trust and be able to talk to is hard within his community and that when you find true friendship it’s something you must hang onto.

Bamboo King // Studio Visit
Bamboo King // Studio Visit

Bamboo King created his first animal head in the early 2000s, inspired by a bamboo root he dug up while collecting materials for a building project. In 2015 Bamboo King moved to a property along the beach in Annotto Bay where he established a sculpture garden using found objects collected from the beach. Stacked coal castles decorate the perimeter around his home accompanied by drift wood and animal head rods.

Bamboo King’s practice involves working with the natural forms and contours of materials so that they form a union and fit together willingly.

Merlene // To Survive
Merlene // To Survive

Merlene lived and worked for most of her life in Kingston but has now moved back to Oracabessa, St Mary. Everyday she visits her mother (who she calls grandmother), caring for her and making sure she’s okay.

Hard work is crucial for survival, Merlene explained to me. When you work hard you’re able to only support yourself, but also your family. This is something Merlene tells her children and grandchildren often.

St John // Craft Work
St John // Craft Work

St John has been creating bead curtains for nearly 30 years. Over time he started integrating found plastics from his community such as lighters, rum bottle caps and hair beads. St John combines the colourful plastics with natural Job’s tears, a seed collected at certain times of the year from along Jamaica’s riverbanks.

Slicing his lighters up and creating vibrant zig-zagging patterns, St John's curtains reflect the sounds of deep reggae and dub which is constantly pulsating through his workshop.

Bingy // Hats
Bingy // Hats

Trained as a pastry chef, Bingy took up weaving late in life after having a stroke which left him without movement in three of his fingers. Over time he has developed a hat design which uses locally harvested calabash with a brim of woven screw pine. Bingy exhibits his work from a roadside rest-stop in Annotto Bay, hanging his piece on wooden beams and bamboo posts along the outside of the building.

Bingy’s calabash surfaces are left rough, raw and natural; highlighting their organic textures and unique characteristics. With limited tools Bingy works slowly and methodically to create each hat. To create the ventilation holes on the side of the hats - along with all the holes to weave into -Bingy uses a small razor to bore through the calabash.

Wildlife // Mermaids
Wildlife // Mermaids

Ever since he was a child Wildlife has been dreaming about mermaids. They visit him regularly. Sometimes a single female, sometimes a whole family of them. Wildlife has never met a mermaid but he’s on a mission. When dark comes he takes his goggles and flippers and dives in Port Antonio Harbour. The bigger fish are sleeping so he told me it feels safer to explore by night.