THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS with great interest that I have been following the debate on the appropriateness of the statue recently erected at Emancipation Park.
While a number of citizens have been expressing disapproval of the statue the artist and those in charge seem adamant that the work is not only relevant but also tasteful. I had the opportunity to hear Mr. John Maxwell and the artist on a talk show. Mr Maxwell proceeded to ridicule those who did not see the work the way he did, even suggesting that it could be useful to teach children about their bodies. What was troubling was that any view that differed from his was seen as that of a maniac.
My take on the matter is that we would perhaps have never been able to build a monument that pleased everybody. But in the light of the fact that the monument was to symbolise freedom for 2.6 million people some consideration of the taste of the people should have been given.
The artist, speaking on the same show, said that she knew that the piece would cause the reaction that it did: if so then why not change it? Another person on the show mentioned that many Greek statues are nude. I will only point out that the statues she mentioned are Greek and that this is Jamaica so we should adapt the art to the culture and not try to bend the culture to the art. In this time when we speak so much of Emancipation we should seek to rid ourselves of the other side of the plantation complex which says:
"We are in the great house and we know what is best for you. You after all are just ordinary Jamaicans and we are the refined ones who can appreciate the fine work of art that we have given to you."
I am, etc.,
DWIGHT SMIKLE
l smikle@colis.com
