By Chester Francis-Jackson, ContributorRECENTLY, FAMED artist Judy Ann MacMillan celebrated another birthday, the celebrations however, were quite low-key, as the week before, the artist regarded as one of our finest painters, opened a new chapter in her creative journey when she launched a book, that was the complete collection of her many works!
Judy's works not only drape the walls of some of the island's finest homes, but are to be found in quite a number of international collections, as testimony to her skills and unvarnished craftsmanship. She is however, without the attendant airs and uppity behaviour often affected by others in their quest for greatness - real or imagined.
This artist's canvasses manage to capture the very essence of her subjects, and the title "great" might have continued to escaped her, were it not for the timely intervention of the coffee table compendium of her works, titled, 'My Jamaica: The Paintings of Judy Ann MacMillan, Published by MacMillan Caribbean (No Relation), with an eloquent introduction by celebrated Author Edward Lucie-Smith. It was launched in London, in early September, and had its Jamaican launch at Devon House, two Thursday evenings ago.
PRIME TIME
Luvs, it was unapologetically social prime time and then some, with snob-society, plantocrats, the rich and famous, the well-heeled, the chic and the fabulous - all out for the launch of what can only become a collector's dream! And they came from every corner, town and village of this island, making for a simply fabulous do!
The book brings together all of the artist's work in a formidable but yet easy format, chronicling her various stages of development and artistic experimentation in over one hundred pages that not only provide a picturesque narrative of the beauty of our beautiful island, from St. Thomas in the East, through to Negril, in the west, it also captures the soul of the subjects it targeted for studies and thus provides the onlooker an interesting connection to the subject as well as an insight into cultural and social morays of our people!
And then, there's the artistic documentation of some of our architectural heritage; the captured simplicity and grace of rural women folk; the particular brand of raw sensuality identified as Jamaican; the grace and beauty of the island overall; and the intimacy to be found in public places and spaces.
TAKE A BOW
And, adding to the charm of the tome, is the fact that many of the pieces documented and flawlessly photographed (Franz Marzouca take a bow) for presentation, were quite familiar to many a guests, who had grown accustomed to admiring them on the walls of the residences of colleagues and friends.
There was a brief ceremony compeered by Ambassador Peter King, that saw Dr. David Boxer, introducing guest speaker, the internationally known and celebrated art critic, historian and author, Edward Lucie-Smith. Judy, in her response was as gracious as ever, sharing her artistic angst, anxieties and challenges that dogged her along her path of development resulting in one of her finest artistic moments!
GUEST LIST
Among those out celebrating with Judy were: the Most Hon. Glynne Manley; HE US Ambassador Sue Cobb and hubby HE Ambassador Charles Cobb; Russian Ambassador Edward Malayan; French Ambassador Francis Hurtut; third Secretary of the British High Commission Mark Waller and his companion the lovely Wendy McMillan; 'her siblings brother, Robert MacMillan, the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Iceland, and sis Peta-Gaye MacMillan; son Alexi Russell and his wife Sabrina; and nephew Travis MacMillan, his mom Carol MacMillan; Alex Hamilton; Paco Kennedy; Lee and Jane Issa; Paul Issa and wife Oriente; their sister, Carole Issa Cartade, and cousin Christopher Issa; Joyce Dundas; Anthony and Jeanne Watson; Erica Downer; Onesto and Josie Maffisanti; Dorothea Whitehorn; Roy and Sylvia Collister; Cecil Ward; Professor Graham and Beryl Sergeant; Wanda Stephenson; Professor Don and Sonia Mills; Tony and Linda Gambrill; Thalia Lyn; Richard Small; Ambassador Richard and Margaret Bernal; Richard Fontaine; Jennifer Lim; Steven Facey; Becky Stockhausen; Colin and Diane Cooke; Margaret Croskery; Bruce and Christine English; Keith and Diane Fredericks; Christopher Gonzales; Colin Garland; Seya Parboosingh; Graham Davis; Lois Sherwood; Lloyd Reckord; Gilou Bauer; Alexander Cooper; Ellie Grennan; Franz Marzouca; Diane Jobson; Dr. Aggrey Irons; Patrick and Marguerite Lynch; Gwyneth Barbar; siblings David and Mary Johns; Xavier Chin; Elaine Wint-Leslie; Garth Barakat; Tom and Rose Tavares-Finson; the lovely Sue Henzell; Seragh and Effie Lakasingh; Jonathan Greenland and wife Rebecca Tortello; William and Franny Mahfood; Nicky and Sharon Feanny; Brian Rosen; Mark Pritchitt; Annie Paul; Matthew and Vynette Zaidie; Norma Benghiat; Jimmy Joseph; Joan McDonald and her daughter; James and Marina Gill; sisters Susanne and Michelle Rousseau; Tom and Tracy McArdle; Gina-Rae Forrest; John O'Donahue; Thania Nethersole; Michelle Thompson; Andy Ballentine plus several scores of the fashionable and well-heeled!
Champagne wishes as you toast your birthday, Judy!.
