The stunning setting of Jamaica’s capital city is the backdrop for this large mural, spanning almost 40 feet in length and 7 feet high. Dominating the scene is the Lion of Judah, rising from the mountains and hills that give Kingston its unique drama and beauty. Throughout the piece, collaged images of athletes, musicians and the people of Kingston highlight the relationship between them and the rich natural environment that is their home. The cultural heritage of Reggae music that every Jamaican knows and loves is embedded in the skies above the panoramic scene, an ongoing download that’s in the heart and soul of every Jamaican.

The central panel is dominated by the Lion of Judah, his mane merging with the coffee farms of the hills. The foreground coffee branches are resplendent with berries, glowing in the lambent light of this magical majestic creature. He represents the spirit of the Jamaican people; proud, strong and swift, he has come to conquer. Crowned by Bob Marley, the King of Reggae, the Lion’s expression is calm, serene and confident. Acceptant of all that is, he is strong and fearless. Beneath his handsome face in the crest of his mane, Usain Bolt stands on the world stage in his iconic pose, the fastest man ever born and a beloved superstar of speed.

The right panel looks out over the city and to the Caribbean Sea. Our athletes dominate the foreground, proud ambassadors, living examples of teamwork and sportsmanship. A hummingbird hovers over a tangle of coffee bushes, within which a collage of Carnival girls and a troupe of dancers emerge.

Above this scene and throughout the triptych a sky of grays presides, a tactile surface of soft vertical columns suggestive of rain and mist, typical of the cooler weather of these hills. Within these columns are Reggae and Ska artistes from over the decades, together forming a timeless cultural download that all Jamaicans receive, a collective consciousness and communal memory that unites us in a love of the music that’s in the very air we breathe.

The far left panel features the hills and mountains where the famous coffee is grown. The view is from Strawberry Hill, the Irishtown property owned by Chis Blackwell in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Founder of Island records, Blackwell is the Jamaican music mogul who brought Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Jimmy Cliff and a host of others to the world. His Strawberry Hill property celebrates our colloquial architecture and hearkens back to a time of gracious living. Now operating as a hotel and restaurant, it is a popular retreat for many, locals and discerning visitors alike, looking for something special. In the foreground its garden of lush tropical plants fringes the view, looking out over mists to the Soldier Camp at Newcastle and the steep banks of coffee farms, and beyond the mountainous interior the distant North coast sea shimmers.