Laura Facey
Jamaican sculptor Laura Facey is considered one of the island’s most controversial and acclaimed artists. Winner of the Aaron Matalon award in 2010 for best in show at the National Biennial for her piece Plumb Line, Facey is also responsible for Redemption Song– the sculpture which graces the entrance to Emancipation Park– of a naked man and woman mirroring one another, lifting their heads towards the sky. The piece symbolizes the words of Marcus Garvey “Free yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind” and created shock amongst some Jamaicans for its frank nudity. —Erin Hansen