On Wednesday, September 16, the P.J. Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy (INAFRICARA), in collaboration with the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank and The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus Main Library, launched the KGOTLA African Art Exhibition at the UWI Main Library. The opening ceremony was held in the Multifunctional Room at the Main Library.
The keynote speaker for the opening ceremony was The Most Honourable Lady Rheima Hall, a distinguished Jamaican artist, art educator, and the first Principal of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. She delivered an engaging lecture characterized by stately wisdom and gravitas.
Lady Hall reminded the audience that Africa possessed civilization long before colonialism and enslavement, and that African art is evidence of creativity, dignity, and a history that neither colonialism nor slavery could destroy. She noted that KGOTLA allows us to widen the reparations dialogue beyond governments and institutions to involve the community, where art restoration and the restoration of cultural confidence are very important.
KGOTLA encourages reflection on African cultural resilience and the importance of dialogue and record keeping in sustaining traditions and keeping our heritage alive.
The exhibition is open to the public until October 21, 2026, when it will culminate in a panel discussion. High schools and primary schools are encouraged to participate in the exhibition. Interested schools may contact any of the participating entities to organize a tour.
