watchensee

Exactly one year ago, I pitched my first exhibition review to . I had no idea it would lead me to Milwaukee, meeting their team and fellow contributors, and experiencing ’s “Original Order Order Original” at .

Getting a glimpse into Milwaukee’s visual art scene was such a gift. We explored the stunning structure of Milwaukee Art Museum (their floor dedicated to Haitian and Folk art was a highlight). .co introduced us to the magic of risograph printing and all its unique colours. And we took in Bettina’s work: her tinkerings, experiments, and the extensive catalogue she built even after a devastating fire razed her Brooklyn studio.

As I hoped, the people were the best part. Everyone I met had such unique backgrounds and creative practices. Those winding conversations about art writing, process, the balancing act of creative life, and everything in between—reminded me why I love this work.

is so much more than an art magazine. I’ve felt that in all my interactions with their editorial team, and this trip was no different. I’m grateful to be part of this community advancing contemporary art from the South and Caribbean.

Many thanks to and for making this special trip possible 🙏

——

Slide 3: “Untitled”, 1981 by Donald Judd
Slide 4: “Saint Francis and the Christ Child (Sen Franswa ak Ti Jezi)”, 1946 by Hector Hyppolite
Slides 8-9: “Original Order Order Original” Opening

One week later and the Calabash tabanca is hitting 🥲

What better way to celebrate the end of my first MFA semester than : the best likkle festival, in the best likkle village, in the best likkle parish, in the best likkle country!

From getting to witness and meet authors whose work has shaped my own, to late night craft chats with + .ziii, to getting to read on the open mic segment, Calabash never fails to fill my cup.

Big up to .dawes, , and team for creating this special space 🙌

& ty to .rm for capturing my open mic moment ☺️

Artsy April moments 😇

1. “Tun Up Di Mic” event at w/ , Dr. Alexis Samuels, and Kim Robinson-Walcott. Thank you Nadja for organizing + for the invitation!
2. and I cooking 🧑‍🍳
3. The ’s “Classical Harmony” concert. Always a joy to hear them perform and witness my former violin teacher Mr. Woodham in his element!
4. Reading at “Tun Up Di Mic”, photo creds to the lovely 📸
5. screening of “Grassroots”, their documentary on artivism. V excited about the work , , and are putting in!
6. Dr. Carolyn Cooper in conversation with Zadie Smith at the launch
7. Vibing w/ , .zd, , . Video creds 🙏
8. Lovely vibes at the .marylitfestjamaica book launch w/ : .garvey +
9. Millicent Graham’s reading at was incredibleeee 🥹 Big up every time
10. w/ , , , and fourth friend whose name I need to find out did an amazing rendition of Millicent’s Kendal sonnets

New year, new writing 😇 My exhibition review of PORTENT by Laura Facey (), curated by Melinda Brown () is now live on !

PORTENT is remarkable in scope and scale, and I enjoyed diving into its world, contextualizing it in the Caribbean art context, and pondering the questions it asks of us in all its post-colonial beauty and messiness.

Endless gratitude to my peers at for your feedback, and to for trusting me with this piece and being incredible to work with 🙏

Link in my bio; do check it out, but more importantly go check out PORTENT before it closes end of February 🙂‍↕️

Life update 💫 Ya girl is starting her Master of Fine Arts (Poetry) in January at ! 🥳 I’ll be exploring Caribbean situatedness from a Chinese Jamaican lens with the guidance of their stellar faculty.

I’m honoured to be a recipient of the .dawes Mapmaker, Washburn, and MFA Merit Scholarships which have helped make this dream possible 🙏

Performing my poetry for the first time in 2019 was exhilarating. There was something unique about that feeling I knew I wanted to pursue.

While I’ve always been creative, making it a career always felt terrifying. But working in web3 art with and being involved with the past few years showed me the creative path is viable. Telling other artists’ stories gave me a deeper desire to tell my own.

What made me decide to finally take the plunge? watchensee for an essay on that 👁️

This past year, with the help of several people and communities I’ve gradually reoriented my life towards my writing and the MFA felt like the right next step to lay a strong foundation.

Does this mean I’m leaving Jamaica? Nah, it’s a low residency programme so I can stay based here.

Does this mean I’m saying goodbye to marketing? Nah, I’ll still be balancing a few freelance projects while in school.

I’m forever grateful for everyone I’ve crossed paths with who has challenged me, my work, and my line of questioning. Thank you to the writers from Papine Writing Collective, , , , , , , and . I couldn’t have gotten to this point of belief in my craft without you.

If you’ve been tracking with me here over the years: thank you. Your eyes and ears on this work is what makes it real and and worth creating.