My Kingston – Marlon James
Photographer; Photography Technician and Part-time Lecturer in the Continuing Education department at the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts.
What’s your earliest memory of Kingston?
Walking and taking the bus from Whitehall Avenue to New Kingston with my grandfather.
What do you miss when you are not in Kingston?
When not in Kingston, I miss the diversity of places to chill and hang out.
What are your favourite home comforts?
Reading magazines and books, watching movies and listening to music.
What would you do if you were mayor (of Kingston) for a day?
I’d round up all the ‘area dons’ and politicians to have a meeting to find a way to stop the nonsensical violence.
Share with us the title of the last book you read.
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk.
What’s your middle name?
Stephen O’Brian.
And the last bit of music that stirred your soul?
Alice by Pogo.
Which cologne are you currently splashing?
None, I go au naturel.
Share with us your last bit of retail therapy.
The purchase of two photography books by two masters in the field — Performance by Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton — a collection of all his works.
What is your preferred beverage?
Glenlivet Scotch on the Rocks.
What was your most memorable meal in Kingston?
A full rack of ribs at Cuddy’z.
What are your current projects?
I have two personal photography projects currently underway — The Perversion Series and a Portrait Series. I’m also doing a commercial project for Red Bull.
What upsets you?
Ignorant and stupid people.
What are your favourite spots on the island?
Hollywell, Winnifred Beach in Portland and Frenchman’s Cove.
Share some places in your Black Book.
Soufrière in St Lucia, Times Square in New York City and Grand Cayman — the entire island is great!
What’s your advice to a first-time visitor to Kingston?
Don’t believe everything you hear on CNN we are not that bad. We are just like any other country.
Finally, what’s your philosophy?
A Chinese Proverb — “The Mind Governs the Body”.