Prime Arts Gallery hosts P.J. Stewart

Monday, 27 August 2007 23:21

WILTSHIRE, UK - Prime Arts Gallery is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a collection of new and original paintings by celebrated Jamaican-resident artist P.J. Stewart, Monday 17th September – Monday 15th October 2007. Featuring an exclusive list of high profile guests, the private view will, like much of P.J.’s work, have a Jamaican influence, with Jamaican rum punch served throughout the evening.

Guest speaker, London-based journalist Ian Thomson, has worked freelance for ‘The Independent’, ‘The Financial Times’ and ‘The Sunday Times’. He has written a travel book about Jamaica which is based on a journey round the island – focussing on the relationship between the West Indian country and its former Colonial masters, the British.

About P.J. Stewart - Living and working in Kingston, Jamaica, P.J. Stewart is a prolific fine art painter and theatrical set designer. Though of English parents, P.J. was raised in East Africa. The daughter of a farmer, she grew up amongst the landscapes of Kenya where undoubtedly her empathy for nature took root. Later, upon relocating to England with her family, she studied at the Hammersmith School of Art in London. After four years as a lecturer in the same school, P.J. visited Jamaica and all other plans were shelved! It was an immediate connection. Over the years a powerful bond has grown between Jamaica, its people, and P.J. She married, raised a family, and has been involved in numerous aspects of life in this Caribbean country; of which she is now a citizen – its pulse a clear influence in her life.

Throughout P.J.’s work, the viewer is instantly taken by the intimacy of the subjects, which are drawn from here own personal experiences and family anecdotes. P.J. soaks up the rich diversity of Jamaican culture with a carnival of colour – luscious greens and luxurious pinks flow through expanses of pastoral tones. Beautiful floral studies compliment her atmospheric figurative work and portraiture, both in original canvases and in paper pieces, and also in limited edition prints.

Born in England, PJ Stewart graduated from the Hammersmith College of Art, where she stayed on for another four years as a lecturer. The opportunity of teaching art at a school in Jamaica arose in 1972. What started as a short term contract soon turned long term and PJ Stewart lectured at the Edna Manley School of Visual Arts, Kingston, for a further six years. On leaving the school, she assited her huband with the development of "Sandals" Hotels where she promoted and commissioned Jamaican art. Stewart has now been concentrating on her personal development as an artist. Her work has been exhibited at the National Gallery of Jamaica, as well as in numerous solo and joint exhibitions, and she is now considered one of Jamaica's more respected painters.