Plurality Now

So so happy, grateful, and proud to announce that an article about my recent exhibition, 'Bound Waters - Confluence,' held last year in Kingston, Jamaica, with Richard Nattoo @djsinista1 and Roisin Jones @iam_roisin at the @olympiaminigallery , has been published in the 2026 @burnaway edition titled 'Myth'. My sincerest thanks goes to Kevarney K.R. @swamp.666 for authoring this insightful piece, which truly captured the depth and meanings of the exhibition's theme, the artists' contributions, and all the effort involved in bringing it to come to life. Get your copy in link in bio. #art #CaribbeanArt #artmagazine #jamaica #myth

There are too many images and videos to capture what these past 10 years have meant and brought to me. I’ve tried to sum up it up but so much remains beyond that. With both excitement and a sense of bittersweet change, I’m announcing my departure from London, UK. London has been a formative chapter—personally and professionally. It offered openness and perspective, shaping how I understand myself, how I see the world, and my work. After nearly a decade in the contemporary art sector, I’ve recently relocated to France. This move has been a couple of years in the making, mentally, and I’ve chosen to return with clarity and intention. I’m proud of what I built in London—one of the most iconic and dynamic art capitals. There, I developed my practice as an independent curator and refined the direction I want to pursue. I witnessed the remarkable rise of African art and deepened my engagement with Caribbean art, developing a distinct curatorial perspective. Today, I’m fully committed to this focus, supported by a network spanning London and Jamaica. Now based in France, I’m looking forward to connecting with the Caribbean art scene and continuing ongoing and future collaborations. France feels slower, less defined for now. I’m letting that uncertainty open something else. As a French citizen of Martiniquan heritage, it feels both natural and necessary to continue this work from France—centering and representing the richness of the French Caribbean. Thank you to everyone who has ever been on my path, helping, advising, supporting. Everything was a help and a learning curve. If you are a French Caribbean artist, curator, or gallery — based in Paris, get in touch ! Still here, just elsewhere. --- #art #france #parís #london #caribbean

I’m proud to share a video documentary from the residency that took place last year in Jamaica, with Roisin Jones and Richard Nattoo. This project began as a collaboration, developing a residency and duo show around the theme of the River Mama. Titled Bound Waters – Confluence, it became a meaningful experience—working closely together to create a body of work rooted in mythology while reinterpreting it within a contemporary context. This project reflects one of my core goals in the arts: reconnecting the diaspora with local narratives. As one of my first projects, it holds particular significance. I’m deeply grateful for the way it resonated with audiences, and for the support and engagement it continues to receive. This marks an important step toward something larger that continues to grow and take shape. Link in bio for the full video — A sincere thank you to everyone involved Roisin Jones @iam_roisin and Richard Nattoo @djsinista , for your trust and collaboration Jodeane Nattoo @iamjodeane for her presence and the creation of the costume for the performance Liza-Marie Williams for editing the video. Olympia Gallery, and Rosemary Braithwaite for hosting us and supporting the project. @olympiagalleryja Artisan House—Sayan and Maelle Johnston—for your generosity, space, and all the invaluable support behind the scenes @itsartisanhouse Emma Miles for contributing to the documentary and for your continued support @kindredfeeling Doreen Howell Watson, wife of Barrington Watson and manager of Orange Park Great House, for welcoming us into her home and allowing us to film the interview there @orange_park_ja Jermaine Smith for his help and filming during the events. Koda (Artisan House) for his everyday support, generosity, and precious knowledge throughout the project. Matthew (Artisan House) for his support, generosity, and for sharing his precious knowledge. The Olympia Gallery team—Kevarney, Natalie, Grammy, Michael, Keven—for their daily support. Suzie Wong for her encouragement @suziewongpresents Garfield Williams (Trench Town Pottery) for sharing his space, knowledge, and generosity @trenchtownartcentre #jamaica #exhibition #art #artist #caribbean

CURATORIAL PROJECT | BOUND WATERS - CONFLUENCE | COLLABORATIVE PIECE Roisin Jones and Richard Nattoo @iam_roisin @djsinista1 Carved in an alcove in the exhibition space, Jones and Nattoo’s collaborative piece displays River Mama’s golden comb—an object of both beauty and peril- resting upon a black Jasper, a protective and nurturing stone that absorb negative energies. The comb draws the eye and stirs curiosity, echoing tales of those who were lured into her waters after attempting to take it. It is said that if someone sees it lying on a river bank and attempts to take it, they will disappear unless they are invited to take it, which will grant them a wish. The comb, often seen in River Mama’s hand as she sits beside the water combing her long hair becomes both a symbol of her allure and a caution —representing the power of nature, the consequences of greed, and the spiritual laws that govern the seen and unseen worlds. — #art #artcollector #artgallery #caribbeanartist #water #caribbeanart #jamaica #blue #water #ceramic #sculpture #glass #brass #gold #goldencomb #folklore #storytelling

CURATORIAL PROJECT | BOUND WATERS - CONFLUENCE | ROISIN JONES @iam_roisin Through her sculptural and delicate metalwork, she reframes the entity as a woman—graceful, and rooted in the natural world, a figure of both vulnerability and wild, untamed power. In Spirited Away, Roisin Jones depicts a scene where two entities meet, exchanging amoment of stillness, shared wisdom, and respect, where borders dissolve and new narratives begin. Jones invites the viewer to step closer, to inhabit the quiet spaces of nature, and to witness the entity not as myth alone but as memory, sensation, and presence. Her work creates moments of closeness—intimate altars to feminine strength and spiritual ecology. "River Sisters" and "Lucky Sight", placed on either side of the alcove, frame golden doorsreminiscent of the comb, inviting the viewer to open them and engage in an act of quiet interaction. Lucky Sight, 2025 Watercolour on paper, brass, patinated copper, organza, sea fan 10 x 8 in 25.4 x 20.3 cm River Sisters, 2025 Watercolour on paper, brass, copper, organza, sea fan 10 x 8 in 25.4 x 20.3 cm Enquiries [email protected] or DM --- #jamaicanart #jamaicanartist #artgallery #artcollector #water #painting #metalwork #metal #brass #copper #watercolour #womenartists #blue #gold

CURATORIAL PROJECT | BOUND WATERS- CONFLUENCE | RICHARD NATTOO and ROISN JONES @djsinista1 Enquiries [email protected] Through a cross-Atlantic dialogue between land and longing, rootedness and rupture - a dialogue between home and away - the artists reimagine the story of the River Mama as a vessel for reconnection and cultural continuity. Among her many names- across the Caribbean and further in West Africa, she is best known in Jamaica as River Mama, highly esteemed by some and feared by others for her beauty and the spiritual powerthat she holds. It is said she lives in every fountainhead, deep pools, and clean waters of Jamaica, performing malevolent actions towards those who dare infringe her domain or fish from her waters— known as her children, as depicted in Nattoo’s "River Baby" (6). In the story of the Golden Comb It is said that if someone sees it lying on a river bank and attempts to take it, they will disappear. The comb, often seen in River Mama’s hand as she sits beside the water combing her long hair as seen in High Noon (Jones, 2025) (7), becomes both a symbol of her allure and a caution —representing the power of nature, the consequences of greed, and the spiritual laws that govern theseen and unseen worlds. One of the stories of people lost to River Mama is depicted in Nattoo’s “..Do not mourn me for I am not dead”, 2025 It is said that once you mourn the ones that disappear, their dead body will appear a few days later. Jones’ "Adrift", 2025 (2) also depicts this story of a boy who became obsessed with her and who one day disappeared into the unseen world. "Red Covenant" (Nattoo, 2025) (4) also echoes stories of disappearing people depicting Flat Bridge, a well-known cursed bridge built since 1724, in which many were drawn to the green waters of Rio Cobre. Since this date, the river has washed away the bridge many times (1881, 1915 and in the 1930s) and the cow lying on it is the offering that were once done for her to stop the death and floods that kept happening and still happens yearly to this day. #art #artgallery #artcollector #caribbean #water #exhibition #blue #indigo #watercolour #jamaica #rivermumma #story #metal

CURATORIAL PROJECT | BOUND WATERS - CONFLUENCE | ROISIN JONES @iam_roisin Familiar to many as the mystical guardian and ruler of Jamaica’s waterways, the River Mama resurfaces in this show through a unique lens. Rather than retelling the story, the artists created a new dimension of her mythology: a site of feminine power, ancestral connections,and ecological reflections. Through a cross-Atlantic dialogue between land and longing, rootedness and rupture - a dialogue between home and away - the artists reimagine the story of the River Mama as a vessel for reconnection and cultural continuity. Roisin Jones draws us into a deeply personal communion with River Mama. Through her sculptural and delicate metalwork, she reframes the entity as a woman—graceful, and rooted in the natural world, a figure of both vulnerability and untamed power. In "Spirited Away", Roisin Jones depicts a scene where two entities meet, exchanging a moment of stillness, shared wisdom, and respect, where borders dissolve and new narratives begin, as the River Mama invite a duppy into her world. Jones invites the viewer to step closer, to inhabit the quiet spaces of nature, and to witness the entity not as myth alone, but as memory, sensation, and presence. Her work creates moments of closeness—intimate altars to feminine strength and spiritual ecology. "Companion" depicts her with her double headed crocodile, inspired by one of her dreams but also a Ghanian symbol of unity in unity in diversity. Her use of brass notably reminds of West African hammered brass echoed through the exhibition. Spirited Away, 2025 30.94 x 30.94 ins 78.6 x 78.6cm Watercolour, brass, patinated copper, lace on wood. Companion, 2025 30.94 x30.94 ins 78.6 x 78.6cm Watercolour, brass, on wood. Enquiries: [email protected] or DM OPEN UNTIL 17TH MAY Events - Thursday 15th May, artists and cutors walk-through, 3pm - Saturday 17th May, Coffee kerning finissage and performance from 11am --- #art #artgallery #artcollector #water #caribbeanart #jamaica #artist #metalwork #metal #brass #copper #watercolour #womenartists #blue #gold #crocodile #feminine #diaspora

CURATORIAL PROJECT | BOUND WATER - CONFLUNECE | RICHARD NATTOO @djsinista1 Familiar to many as the mystical guardian and ruler of Jamaica’s waterways, the River Mama resurfaces in this show through a unique lens. Rather than retelling the story, the artists created a new dimension of her mythology: a site of feminine power, ancestral connections,and ecological reflections. In Richard Nattoo’s dreamlike universe, she encounters the Queen of the Night, a recurring figure in his recent work, who offers her the Golden Comb —an act of quiet sovereignty, granting her power and presence. In "Gift of the Night", Nattoo reimagines River Mama's origin story, where night and day merge and two waterworlds embrace, it speaks of mutual recognition and a sacred exchange, but also how the Golden comb came to be. "River Mumma III – The Golden Comb" draws on a classical depiction of the River Mumma combing her hair by the water's edge. Nattoo honours this tradition while picturing her as a hybrid figure — part woman, part crocodile. A green heron stands beside her, a bird known for being difficult to spot, much like herself, who is said to appear only to the fortunate or the chosen. Gift of the Night, 2025 Watercolour, Water from Falling Edge Waterfall,Stony Hill, Jamaica, Pen and Ink on Canvas,various Trimmings 30 x 30 in 80 x 80 cm River Mumma III - The Golden Comb, 2025 Watercolour, Water from Falling Edge Waterfall, Stony Hill, Jamaica, Pen and Ink on Canvas, various Trimmings 31.6 x 31.6 in 80 x 80 cm Enquiries: [email protected] and DM OPEN UNTIL 17TH MAY Events: - Thursday 15th May, Artist and Curator's walkthough, 3pm - Saturday 17th May, coffee monring finissage and performance from 11am --- #art #jamaicanart #jamaicanartist #artgallery #artcollector #water #caribbeanart #jamaica #blue #exhibition #painting #painter #river #rivermumma #story #storytelling #watercolour

BOUND WATERS - CONFLUENCE | EXHIBITION VIEWS The show is on for another week at @olympiaminigallery !! Until 17th May 2025. Bound Waters - Confluence is a duo exhibition that delves into Caribbean identity, celebrating its cultural richness while addressing its fragmented histories through storytelling and folklore. Bringing together the distinct yet interconnected practices of Jamaica based painter Richard Nattoo and UK-based interdisciplinary artist Roisin Jones, the show explores the enduring, evolving relationship between Jamaica and its diaspora. Using water both as a metaphor for connection and resilience, and as a medium, locally sourced from rivers, it is infused into the works with watercolours, ceramics, sculpture and mixed media pieces, creating works that carry place, spirit, and memory within them. The show developed as an extended discussion—beginning with a joint residency at Artisan House in Kingston (Jamaica), where both artists immersed themselves in local riverscapes, research on storytelling and collective memories. Through this shared experience, they found connections within each other's practices through water and explored the mythology around it. Through their research they were taken with the mythology of the River Mama and her symbolic connection to the diasporic history. What began as an artistic exchange developed into a broader conversation around themes of mythology, identity, and belonging explored through material and form. People of the Caribbean are intrinsically linked to water, and the River Mama emerges here as a potent emblem of that relationship. Through a cross-Atlantic dialogue between land and longing, rootedness and rupture - a dialogue between home and away - the artists reimagine the story of the River Mama as a vessel for reconnection and cultural continuity. Read the rest of the curatorial essay on my website in the link in bio Dates - Thursday 15th May, artist walk-through, 3pm - Saturday 17th May, Coffee morning finissage and performance from 11am #art #artgallery #artcollector #exhibition #blue #water #painting #painter #river #folklore #storytelling #rivermumma #jamaiCA

CURATORIAL PROJECT | TVJ @smilejamtvj It was an absolute honour to have Roisin Jones @iam_roisin and Richard Nattoo @djsinista1 on TVJ this morning talking about our current show, "Bound Waters - Confluence". Thank you to both them for sharing their work on national TV in Jamaica, and thank you to our presenter Garth @ohgarth for hosting this interview session. We had a great time! And honoured to have been part of the programme. #art #jamaica #exhibition #kingston #water #painting #painter #metalwork #metal #brass #watercolour #sculpture #storytelling #rivermumma #river #myth #folklore #tvj

CURATORIAL PROJECT | OPENING NIGHT Big thank you to everyone who showed up at the opening night! It was incredible. Huge thank you to the artists @iam_roisin and @djsinista1 for their incredible hard work during this experience. Also thanks to @iamjodeane for creating the costume for the upcoming performance and accompanying us during our excursions. It wouldn't have been possible without the help of @itstheartisanhouse , so Big thank you also for the studio and all the help that was generously given throughout the experience. Thank you, @jusfoodsjamaica , for the catering and @olympiaminigallery for hosting our show. #art #artgallery #artcollector #water #caribbeanart #caribbean #jamaica #blue #exhibition #painting #metalwork #metal #brass #watercolour #sculpture #storytelling

BOUND WATER - CONFLUENCE | IN STUDIO This project began with the meeting of the Roisin Jones @iam_roisin and Richard Nattoo @djsinista1 in Jamaica last year, where a conversation started. Thoughts began to emerge, and I had an idea of having them work together, their practice being very much linked. This thought was also linking to what Plurality Now curatorial programme is about, so I engaged with the idea. We had the privilege of being hosted by Artisan House @itstheartisanhouse , a community-driven space in downtown Kingston founded by Maëlle and Sâyan Johnston in 2015. The studio became a shared space for making, allowing the artists to build a collaborative body of work. Housed in a repurposed warehouse, Artisan House is a space where local artisans are supported in producing handcrafted objects using Jamaican raw materials. The studio offers tools, training, and access to a lapidary workshop, enabling the cutting and polishing of local semi-precious stones such as jasper and agate. Artists and makers here transform materials like coconut shells, reclaimed glass bottles, and sea items into objects of care and intention: jewellery, small-batch homeware, and striking pieces of everyday design. With a focus on sustainability and collaboration, the space operates as both a cultural hub and a model for material-conscious making. We’re deeply grateful to Artisan House for opening their doors to us — offering not only the tools but the spirit of shared making. The time spent here allowed the artists to build a body of work in conversation with their surroundings. We're looking forward to unveiling the results next week. #art #ArtistResidency #river #rivermumma #story #metalwork #jamaica #artist #caribbeanart #caribbean #caribbeanartist #artgallery #artcollector #exhibition #blue #water #residency #sustainability #crystal #homeware #project #curator #artgallery #artcollector #exhibition