At left is the restored work. The work at right shows the condition before restoration. - PHOTOS contributed by Embassy of Spain in Jamaica.

Spain’s expert restores Jamaica’s art

By Anthea McGibbon, Content Editor

SPAIN’S AMBASSADOR TO Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Jesus de Silva and spanish expert Professor Antonio Sánchez-Barriga officially handed over the restored painting titled ‘De Lawd is My Shepherd’ (translated the Lord is my Shepherd) to Jamaica’s National Gallery.

The handing over took place on June 27 at the National Gallery.

The painting done by one of Jamaica’s master painters, Osmond Watson, is one of the most important works in the national collection of the National Gallery, which sustained significant damage during movement last year.

In January, the painting was shipped to Spain where its restoration was undertaken by renowned Professor Antonio Barriga, at no cost to the Government of Jamaica. Locally, the professor also guided the restoration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.
Professor Sánchez-Barriga has professional qualification in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Sites with a specialisation in Painting. He also holds certification as a restorer of murals and is the Conserver-Restorer in the State Office of Fine Arts in the Ministry of Culture of Spain and currently works as Conserver-Restorer Expert in the Institute of Historical Heritage which is affiliated to the Spanish Ministry of Culture.

The Embassy of Spain and the National Gallery have had a number of collaborative activities, including an exhibition of contemporary Spanish art, since the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2006 which created the legal framework for future cooperation programmes between the Government of Spain and the National Gallery.

At the handing over of the painting Honourable Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth &p; Sports, the Spanish expert Prof. Antonio Sánchez-Barriga, the President of the Board of the National Gallery, Mr. Wayne Chen, the Chief Curator of the Gallery, Dr. David Boxer, and former Executive Director, Dr. Jonathan Greenland.