COME Heroes Day, October 17, sculptor Basil Watson will be among several Jamaicans receiving National Awards at King’s House in St Andrew.

He will receive the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) for his outstanding contribution to Jamaican art.

“It is not something I event worked for. I do what I do simply for the love of it, but for it to be recognised by my country and people, I can truly say there is a feeling of pride… I am indeed proud to be recognised,” Watson told the Jamaica Observer.

The 58-year-old graduated from School of Art at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts back in 1980 and has been working as a sculptor since. Being the son of master painter, late Barrington Watson, he said the work of his father definitely had an influence on him.

“I can see the evidence in my own grandchildren… growing up surrounded by artists must have its effects, but I guess as a child I really took it for granted. I remember being interested in the work he brought home and I have been told that as a youngster, I would sit and watch him work. But he never personally directed our choices one way or the other,” said Watson.

Today Watson said he can clearly see the influences of his father in his work.

“I can clearly see his appreciation of the human figure in my work; his love and fascination with drawing, which was my first passion. His observation and stimulation by the human form has influenced me stylistically,” he said.

And what of criticism of his fascination with the human form?, Watson responds: “It is a natural progression to go there. When we break down humans, we become nude. That is where we find anatomy, beauty and energy. We are born naked; clothes is a contemporary state of mind… nudity is timeless.”

Watson now calls the United States of America home, having made the decision to migrate 14 years ago in an effort to have a greater impact on the wider world.

“As much as we live in a globalised world, in Jamaica I felt as though I was in a small pond. I needed to connect with the art market to make an impact. I was doing well at home but needed a greater challenge. I needed to test myself with new challenges. So once the opportunity came I took advantage. The experience has been eye-opening and I have grown tremendously as an artist and person. Of course, there have been hard time and struggles. For one thing, it would have been better to make that move as a 24-year-old rather than at 44. But what I had done in Jamaica put me in good stead,” he said.

Looking forward, Watson sees the need for state and private sector involvement in the art world to keep it afloat.

“The Jamaican art movement was at its peak in terms of connectivity with the community in the 1970s and 80s — we have lost that connection. Back then, there were a number of private galleries, the economy was better and there were a lot more people supporting art. There is a greater need for public art. Corporate involvement in art needs to increase and government policies to support art is required. Happily, the National Gallery is growing and moving in wider directions. We must maintain our connections with our Jamaican art history and ensure that the work of the early artists is not forgotten.”