Screen-printed images of Jamaica by Windrush Amplified Art Grant winner Wayne Snooze to be displayed across borough
A series of screen-printed images of present day Jamaica titled ‘Stories From St. Thomas’, will be displayed on billboards across Hackney from 17 June, showcasing the work of Hackney-based Windrush descendant Wayne Snooze, the first recipient of the new Windrush Amplified Art grant.
Drawing from the artist's background as a child of Jamaican immigrants who arrived in the UK during the Windrush era, the images are inspired by the hand-drawn signs used in Jamaican shops and businesses, and incorporate the same traditional screen printing techniques.
The £3000 Windrush Amplified Art grant, open to photographers, artists, poets, writers, art collectives, schools and community groups, was launched as part of Hackney’s 2024 Windrush microgrants programme, which funds events and activities for this year’s Windrush Generations Festival: Past. Present, Future, and aims to support and elevate the artistic talents of Hackney’s Windrush generations.
The artwork was selected by the Council’s Culture team alongside renowned visual artist Dr Pogus Caesar who was delighted with the “refreshing” submission from Wayne Snooze. Caesar, remarked on Wayne’s work being “extremely original in the use of traditional methods which is rare these days. A new head with old thoughts that screams heritage in a silent way”.
The images will be on display until the end of June on Chapman Road, Dalston Lane and Kingsland Road, on public billboard spaces in collaboration with partners Build Hollywood, as well as on Love Hackney.
As part of the project, Wayne Snooze will also lead a screen printing workshop ‘Island to Island’ to explore connections of the Islands of the Caribbean and how those from the diaspora have flourished here for select community groups.
Notes
View the artworks on the Love Hackney website, Facebook and Instagram.
Wayne Snooze
Wayne Snooze is a London-born artist whose work focuses on exposing the beauty in normality, capturing everyday moments, creating inclusive thought provoking work that challenges our expectations of the ordinary. www.waynesnooze.com
Dr Pogus Caesar
Dr Pogus Caesar is a conceptual artist utilising multiple media. He was born in St Kitts, West Indies, and grew up in Birmingham, England. In 2018 Caesar was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Birmingham City University for his outstanding contribution to the visual arts. He is also a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.
Considered an important visual record of Black history, Caesar’s work has been exhibited widely and his photographs and artworks have been acquired by National Gallery of Art, Washington; National Portrait Gallery, London; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield; Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, Leicester; Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton; Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham. Alongside his work as a photojournalist and artist, Caesar has also had a successful career in television as a Series Producer and Director for Central Television, Carlton Television and the BBC.
Build Hollywood
Build Hollywood are creative street advertising specialists. www.buildhollywood.co.uk/
I’m deeply committed to portraying the authentic experiences and valuable contributions of the Windrush community through my artwork, by challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, while honouring the resilience and cultural richness of this community. This series seeks to celebrate the richness of the Jamaican experience and provide insight into a world often overlooked or misunderstood.
Wayne Snooze, winner of the Windrush Amplified Art grant