Let's keep fingers crossed for Joy Gregory this month. She has been shortlisted in the prestigous Mary Seacole Statue Memorial competition that will pay tribute to the 19th century Jamaican heroine. Joy's proposal will be on display at Coutts Bank in the Strand this month prior to the judging. Mary Seacole was best known for her healing work with soldiers during the Crimean War. Although never afforded the same opportunities or recognition as Florence Nightingale, in recent times, it has been acknowledged that her independent efforts helped relieve British soldiers suffering from cholera during the war. Joy describes her tribute:
I am proposing to create a piece with a number of related and reflective elements housed in a beautiful ‘Healing Garden’. It will be filled with scented and medicinal plants and divided into a number of rooms representing different moods.
The centerpiece is a very tall palm tree referencing her homeland in Jamaica, and like her planted in British soil bringing comfort to many from that far away land. In keeping with Mary Seacole’s philosophy and holistic approach to healthcare it would be a living memorial. "
The eight artists shortlisted are: Maurice Blik; Georgia Boyd Russell; Joy Gregory; Martin Jennings; Kenness George Kelly (Fowokan); Etienne Milner; Susan Stockwell; Bill Woodrow
It's good to see an artist of Jamaican descent in the line up and we are rooting for her.