WASHINGTON, DC – An exhibition of Jamaican photographs and art forms are now on display at the Embassy of Jamaica Washington DC . The exhibition which comprises just over 50 photographs is entitled, “Roots and Culture Jamaica” and features the photographs and art by Andrea Cauthen, a member of the Jamaican Diaspora who resides in New York.
The exhibition which was officially opened by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie on June 12, noted that the Jamaica mission to the United States was keen to promote the richness and variety of the country’s culture. He emphasized that in matters cultural, as in other areas, Jamaica punches well above its weight.
With reference to the items on display for “Roots and Culture Jamaica”, Ambassador Vasciannie lauded Ms. Cauthen for bringing to the embassy, beautiful, stimulating and nostalgic images that highlight aspects of Jamaican life both on and off the beaten track.
“In the course of Caribbean Heritage month, it is refreshing for Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica to be reminded about “ital stew”, “veggie chunks”, “ackee” and “callaloo”, among other things,” said Ambassador Vasciannie.
The featured artist, Ms. Cauthen, informed her audience of over 100 art lovers, that although she was born in the USA, her mother, a Jamaican had instilled in her a sense of pride and identity in Jamaica. Her work in “Roots and Culture” was therefore a quintessential map, invoking a sense of nostalgia and belonging
Ms. Cauthen, a multimedia artist and photographer, is a graduate of Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia and Parsons School of Design. She currently works as a volunteer with the Irish Penn Early Childhood Institution in St. Catherine and will donate 25 percent of all proceeds from sales made at the show to the school.
