Artist of the Day - Laura Facey-Cooper

A 3,320-pound bronze sculpture called Redemption Song unveiled on July 31 in Kingston, Jamaica has become the latest controversy on the island. The statue portrays two former slaves, a male and a female standing in a pool of water with their eyes looking towards the sky. Why the controversy? Both statues are naked as the day they were born and the man who stands about 11 feet tall has a penis that...well...stands tall on its own. Some criticize what they observe as inappropriate European features chiseled in the woman's face.


Emblazoned on the base of the statue are the words of Marcus Garvey put to music by Bob Marley in the song that gave the statue its name "none but ourselves can free our mind." Those who support the statue suggest the controversy over its nakedness is evidence that Jamaicans may not yet be free from the mental slavery that Garvey and Marley discussed. Many of Europe's most famous sculptures are in the nude and are considered works of art.

Does size matter? It appears that the focal point over the debate has become the man's penis, or to be more specific the size of it. Laura Facey-Cooper, the Jamaican sculptor who created the statue says "I did not particularly enlarge that part of the male body to the exclusion of anything else. He has very strong muscles in his torso and buttocks. Both the male and female are very well-endowed in every possible way."

Several Jamaicans are calling for the Patterson administration to remove the statue from the newly named Emancipation Park in which it stands. This would not be the first time a statue has been recalled in Jamaica. During the 1980's sculptor Christopher Gonzales was commissioned to create a statue to honor the late Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley. After it's completion the government, then led by Edward Seaga decided that it was not what they were looking for and commissioned Alvin Mariott to erect another which now stands in front of Jamaica's National Stadium. Gonzales's statue spent much of the 20 years since in the National Gallery before its recent placement at the Island Village in Ocho Rios.

At a recent concert in the Emancipation Park given in honor Jamaica's beloved Miss Lou (Louise Bennett-Coverly) popular Deejay Tony Rebel pleaded to Jamaica's Prime Minister P.J. Patterson "Mister prime minister, take down the naked people and put up a statue of Miss Lou instead." Many of the over 10,000 in attendance cheered in support. In a release by the sculptor, Laura Facey Cooper upon the release of the statue she stated "It is my hope that our Jamaican people will be moved by Redemption Song." source

As for me - I get it. Quite beautiful to me, and not is a sexual way either. If the people of Jamaica would just chill they might get that by being redeemed they are new and can move forward, rather upward. The nakedness speaks to me the whole Adam Eve newness, youthfullness - like strong and eager children. I see the power, and the humility. The size doesn't bother me. Seems realistic enough. Children won't be shocked. They just might ask what's up with that. Just explain and they'll get it. I love it and hope to one day touch the water and become refreshed and reminded of the suffering, struggles and freedoms.

For more of the Art from Laura Facey-Cooper please visit:

http://www.laurafacey.com/