‘Jamaica Wi Come From’, a 17-day exhibition featuring the work of seven Jamaican painters, closed on Sunday at Miramar Arts Park in South Florida.

Officially opened on December 1 by Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s consul general to Miami, the event was curated by Richard Blackford through his Yardabraawd International. Blackford, Vaughn Tucker, Colin Smith, Christopher Butler, Elpedio Robinson, Gail McGhie Daley, and John Walters were the painters on show.

Smith, a leading light in Jamaican cultural circles in South Florida, welcomes expos like Jamaica Wi Come From.

“It serves as an opportunity to show and expose the works and talents of Jamaica’s rich art culture. In the current exhibition, there are seven pieces of my work, which gives an example of my different styles,” he said.

Born in St Elizabeth, Smith has been painting since his youth. He attended the Jamaica School of Art (now Edna Manley College of The Visual And Performing Arts) where his teachers included Charles Sawyers, Alexander Cooper and Christopher Gonzalez.

“I have many styles of painting. The style I use will largely depend on the subject matter, or the message I want to give; my inspiration comes from nature, social issues, and cultural issues. Hence, for the most part the paintings of landscapes, historical locations, landmarks, the cultural works will depict pocomania, kumina or Rastafarian themes,” he explained. “My abstracts mostly depict musical and dance themes.”

Smith has lived in South Florida for over 25 years. President of the Louise Bennett-Coverley Heritage Council and founder/director of the Tallawah Mento Band, he was awarded the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service by the Jamaican Government in October during the annual National Honours and Awards at King’s House.

Jamaica Wi Come From showcased over 40 pieces of art, many depicting various aspects of the country. It is one of several events held in South Florida this year to mark Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of Independence.