Repeating Islands

Jamaicans in Baltimore, Virginia and Washington DC are mourning the passing of one of Jamaica’s foremost artists, Albert Huie. Mr. Huie died on January 31 in Baltimore, Maryland, at age 89.

In expressing condolence to his family, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency, Anthony Johnson said: “The Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC wishes to express its sincere regret at the passing of one of the Caribbean’s greatest painters, Albert Huie. Mr. Huie was among the earliest practitioners of a distinctive Jamaican-style of painting in the 1930s and today, his works are to be found in galleries and private collections around the world.”

On National Heroes Day 2009, Mr. Huie was among those honored by the Embassy of Jamaica for his outstanding contribution to the Jamaican community in Maryland and the Washington DC metropolitan area. Because of Mr. Huie’s ailing health, he was unable to attend the event and his daughter, Christine Huie accepted the award on his behalf.

Born in Falmouth, Trelawny on December 31, 1920, Mr. Huie moved to Kingston when he was 16 years old. His talent quickly captured the attention of key figures in the early Jamaican art movement such as H. Delves Molesworth, the then Secretary of the Institute of Jamaica, and renowned sculptor Edna Manley. He received formal training in art at Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Canada, and Camberwell School of Art in London.

Mr. Huie has mounted some 24 major art exhibitions in Jamaica, the United States and around the world, and is a founder and a former tutor at the Jamaica School of Art. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, and daughters Evelyn, Christine and Alicia.

For more go to http://www.jis.gov.jm/foreign_affairs/html/20100204T100000-0500_22755_JIS_JAMAICANS_IN_THE_US_MOURN_PASSING_OF_ALBERT_HUIE.asp