Artist Christopher Gonzalez who created a stir with his Bob Marley sculpture died on August 2, 2008. PHOTO RETREIVED FROM JAMAICA OBSERVER SITE.

Opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Honourable Portia Simpson Miller gives tribute

Opposition Leader the Honourable Portia Simpson Miller. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED.

ADDRESS BY THE MOST HON. PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER, ON, MP, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION,
AT THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR CHRISTOPHER GONZALEZ, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008

THE WORLD HAS lost a great artist. Christopher Gonzalez, whose work can be found in famous collections in many countries, was a renowned Jamaican sculptor, painter and educator.

I would like to express condolences to his widow, Champayne, children, other relatives and friends. I pray that you will be comforted by the loving support that is so much in evidence here today.

The artistic vision of Christopher Gonzalez was clearly rooted in a deep spirituality and an appreciation of the important role of self-knowledge in this regard. This is reflected vividly in his use of self-portraits, very much in keeping with the ancient advice, “Man know thyself”.

He was driven always to go beyond the commonplace, make a connection with the spirit within his subjects and express what he saw and felt in his distinctive style.

On more than one occasion, his passion for truth caused him to create work that challenged the establishment as well as various individuals who were unable to relate to a different perspective on reality.

His most controversial piece was the Government-commissioned statue of Bob Marley. It is ironical that the same quality of artistic courage and desire to communicate spiritual insights to his fellow men and women found in Bob Marley, were also to be found in Gonzalez.

While he may not have turned up his disco, as Bob wanted to do, he certainly disturbed some neighbours with his insistence on truth.

But his artistic output was much larger than its controversial elements. He produced several masterpieces as sculptor and painter and his work is greatly admired by many.

The People’s National Party was certainly delighted when he was commissioned to do the sculpture at the Norman Manley Shrine at National Heroes Park in 1975. He produced two magnificent pieces, Birth of the Nation and Unity of the Nation, symbolic of the contribution of the National Hero to nation building.

Thankfully, the memory of Christopher Gonzalez will live on in these and other works displayed in public spaces and private collections. Many homes are graced with his popular watercolours.

In addition to the visible memorials, he has left a rich legacy of influence on the students he taught at the Jamaica School of Art and those he encountered as Artist-in Residence at Atlanta’s famous Spellman College, and generally, on our artistic heritage.

In my encounters with him, he would always speak up for fellow artists. A constant complaint was that though financial institutions would accept paintings from collectors as collateral for loans, they would not accept the artist’s own work when offered as collateral. Christopher Gonzalez has left us but we will remember him for many reasons.

We remember him today for his creative genius and his enormous contribution to the exquisite tapestry of Jamaica’s artistic expression.

We remember him for his resistance to cultural strait-jacketing.

We remember him for his great spirit and the tremendous body of work he has left to inspire us who remain behind and the generations waiting in the wings.

We wish you peace and love, Christopher, as you fly away home.

OTHER LINKS to OTHER TRIBUTES!
www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080805/ent/ent5.html
www.news.scotsman.com/obituaries/Christopher-Gonzalez.4433799.jp
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20080805T210000-0500_138692_OBS_ARTIST_CHRISTOPHER_GONZALEZ_IS_DEAD.asp
www.artjamaica.blogspot.com/2008/08/tribute-to-christopher-gonzalez.html/