“Just because Europe’s classical statues had small penises,” argued Mark Wignall, an Observer columnist, “does not mean Jamaica must follow suit.” So, I guess you have figured where this is going. Two naked 7ft high bronzes (Redemption Song) erected in Jamaica’s Emancipation Park have caused a debate in Kingston like no other. The main grievance is that the male statue is a tad too well endowed, which only ever seems to be a problem when related to a statue. The issue as I can figure, is that the statues are supposed to symbolize liberation in an independent Jamaica. Well you can’t get more liberated than that can you ?
And, thanks in part to Beyonce, the locals are a bit miffed that the statues appear to be too light skinned. For a country who prides itself on being laid back this public art has stirred a great deal of emotion. Remember the poor Bob Marley statue that had to be removed because it didn’t look life like enough!
At any rate the media are having a field day with it, one journo going so far as describing the sculpture as “a rape of our democracy”.
But don’t feel too sorry for the sculptor though, Laura Facey Cooper is use to criticism. A little while back she got herself in a little trouble when she created a near-naked and well-endowed carving of Christ. And on the question of too well endowed, Laura’s response is “it is in proportion to the rest of the sculpture. I certainly didn’t overplay it.”
All I can say is lucky no one has a tin of pink paint! (re: Pretty in Pink article)
