22/02/15 Analysis of "Jah Wolfe" 1990 by Judy Ann MacMillan (Oil on canvas)

MacMillan was born on December 3^rd, 1945 in St. Andrew, Jamaica. This is relevant to my study as my heritage resides from the Caribbean islands of Jamaica and Barbados. At age 16, she was sent to study at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, Scotland. At the age of 21, she hosted her own art exhibition at her home. The first artist she first set eyes on was Van Gogh, particularly with his “Starry Night”. She seen how the piece was unusual, but not abstract, and shown Gogh’s own interpretation of what he was witnessing, which was what she aimed to do in her work.

The mediums MacMillan used most commonly was oil on canvas. She continuously shows observational techniques and makes sure all her paintings show realism. However, as shown in the painting above, she focuses the attention on curtain objects or features in her pieces by not painting the other parts as detailed or not painting them at all. Instead she uses expresses line and marks in complimenting colours as perhaps an extension to what she                                                                            is showing.

The key concept behind her work is showing people the true background of Jamaica and the raw origins of the people who make up the population. Most people just see Jamaica as a beautiful, sunny retreat/landscape whereas she tries to capture the pure culture and atmosphere of the island. This is extremely meaningful to me as I want to give a message through my work that Rastafarianism is not just about Bob Marley and “Red, Gold and Green” but is a cultural religion which tells a story on how most people’s ancestors survived and travelled. Rastafarianism is the story of pain and purity of the people who got us where we are today. I will be using these colours in my work but I aim to draw attention to the religious symbols most of all.

“Jah Wollfe” has an extremely natural and earthy feel to it. The background of browns and mossy greens makes it look inspired by natural forms and a time where people lived off the earth. The figure in the painting is named “Jah” to show honour and dedication to his god. His head is raised slightly to show pride making him look like a person of authority and power. His long, matted dreadlocks are white with age showing he is one of the many ‘fathers’ of the island. He looks extremely wise and perhaps is an extremely religious figure as dreadlock in Jamaica symbolise a strong dedication to Rastafarianism. He looks as if he is studying or judging the person he is looking at. Perhaps MacMillan has captured this on purpose to make the viewer feel intimidated by him, or feel inferior to him.  To me this figure looks like someone I would instinctively look up to. MacMillan has chosen to show him as God-like as she has emphasised the light that is reflecting off his face is from directly above, like a spotlight.

MacMillan’s use of form and colour is interesting as she has inspired this painting by a natural element, earth, and by using these browns and various skin colours it make the piece looks aboriginal. I admire that she has chosen not to paint the man’s surroundings as this strongly draws my attention to him. Alike a painting of a religious figure, the focus is in just his face and hair and not his body. Just the slight angle of his raised head immediately adds power to the painting.

I believe this painting has been created for the artists own interest and education. I believe it was a journey for her to find out about the Rastafarian culture and to show what she had found out about it and how she could share this most effectively. As stated in her book “My Jamaica”, “MacMillan is fascinated by the Rastafarian cult, which is a typical feature of Jamaican culture. The two portraits of men with long dreadlocks are likenesses of members of the cult.”

I am greatly influence by this artists work as I can connect with her on the level that I initially hoped to show realistic observational paintings of the Rastafarian culture and to give a message through my work that there are raw and inspiring meanings to the culture and how people should avoid the ignorant stereotypes.