Andre Woolery - Freedom of Expression, "Bossman"
Wi lickle but wi tallawah
It is a common expression in Jamaica that means despite its small physical size the island of Jamaica is powerful, fearless and strong-willed. Visual artist Andre Woolery has taken inspiration from that saying for his latest collection, Freedom of Expression, Jamaica. The works focuses on celebrating the island's creativity through portraits of youth engaged in Jamaican dancehall culture, a phenomenon known for its up-tempo music and colorful ensembles donned by its supporters.
Against backdrops of predominantly neutral tones, Woolery applies striking colors that capture the boldness, vibrancy and eclectic style of Jamaica's youth. In a country listed as having the sixth highest homicide rate in the world and where 1.1 million people live below the poverty line, Woolery believes dancehall youth find empowerment through their sartorial choices. Furthermore he hopes that their images broaden the perception of Jamaica.
Andre Woolery - Freedom of Expression, "Generals"
"The opportunities in life to change socioeconomic status may be slim, but within the dancehall people feel like they can momentarily be on top on their own terms. The dancehall provides a place that allows people to transcend and become the king or queen based on what they bring to the table. In this case, I've focused on what they bring to the table visually through fashion. This is a celebration of the creative spirit of Jamaica as a whole," Woolery said in an email.
Andre Woolery - Freedom of Expression, "Miss Original"
Woolery--who grew up between Morristown, NJ and St. Ann, Jamaica--will have one of the pieces from the series on display at the National Gallery of Jamaica's 2014 Jamaica Biennial beginning December 7.
