Born in Jamaica, 1954, Laura Facey is a sculptor whose powerful, honest and sometimes controversial work spans almost 50 years.
Having attended the Jamaica School of Art and West Surrey College of Art and Design in the UK, Laura lives and works in Jamaica. As well as drawings and wood block prints, she creates both large-scale and smaller sculptures for which she uses primarily fallen timber and carves lignum vitae, cedar, mahogany and other locally sourced woods.
Laura strives to interpret the land around her and its histories, to feel into the landscapes of people and respond with her art. Her sculptures are more often than not about seeking a healing alchemy, not only for individuals, but for humanity and the earth; while the first 25 years of her work is autobiographical and cathartic, the second half is expansive and more prayerful.
Laura entered the spotlight in 2003 with the unveiling of Redemption Song, the controversial monument to emancipation situated at Emancipation Park in Kingston, Jamaica.
She is currently preparing for her upcoming exhibition, PORTENT, opening 13th October 2024 in St Ann, Jamaica. PORTENT is designed as a storyline and Laura hopes that as visitors walk among the work in the natural and delineated manmade spaces, they experience a lightness of being, balance and grace.
Resume
2022 Laboratory of the Ticking Heart, Ormsby Memorial Hall, Kingston, Jamaica, 1 May – 29 July
2014 Their Spirits, International Slavery Museum, Liverpool, UK
2013 Radiant Earth, The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, London, UK
2011 Radiant Combs, New sculpture and Drawings, Mt Plenty, St Ann, Jamaica
2010 Propel, ROKTOWA, 8 Pechon St, Kingston, Jamaica
2009 Solandra, Jamaica Inn, St. Ann, Jamaica
2008 Where I Stand, Mt Plenty, St. Ann, Jamaica
2006 The Everything Doors, Drawings in Wood, Institute of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
2001 Silent Voices, Bolivar Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica
1992 Chairworm and Supershark, Exhibition of Illustrations, Patoo Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica
1985 Pieces, Mutual Life Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica
1980 Works, Tom Martin Gallery, Sante Fe, New Mexico, USA
1976 Talisman the Goat, Exhibition of Illustrations, Bolivar Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica
2019 Summer Exhibition, National Gallery of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica
2018 Harmony Hall, St Ann, Jamaica
2017 National Biennial, “Bumpy Top Desk and Mirror, Ceiba”, National Gallery of Jamaica
2016 Fusion of Food Art and Goodwill, Mt. Plenty, St Ann, Jamaica
2015 Fusion Of Food Art And Goodwill, Mt Plenty, St Ann, Jamaica
2014 National Biennial, ‘Walking Tree’, National Gallery of Jamaica
2013 Earth Wind Fire, Tryall Club, Sandy Bay, Hanover, Jamaica
2012 National Biennial, ‘De Hangin of Phibbah..”, National Gallery of Jamaica
2012 Against The Grain, traveling exhibition until 2014, Mint Museum, Charlotte; MAD Museum, New York; Museum of Art, Ft Lauderdale, USA
2011 Escaut. Rives, Dérives, International Festival of Contemporary Sculpture, Roeulx, France
2011 Spirit of Jamaica, Black Circle Gallery, London
2011 About Change, The World Bank, Washington DC, USA
2010 National Biennial, ‘Plumb Line’, The National Gallery of Jamaica
2010 Art Jamaica, New Hall, Cambridge, UK
2007 Materialising Slavery, National Gallery of Jamaica
2004 Curator’s Eye 1, ‘Body and Blood of Christ’, National Gallery of Jamaica
2001 A Shriek from an Invisible Box, Meguro Museum of Arts, Tokyo, Japan
2000 Watamula, Workshop Exhibition, Curacao, Dutch Antilles
2000 Soon Come: The Art of Contemporary Jamaica, Nebraska Arts Council toured by Exhibits USA
1997 Annual National Exhibition, National Gallery of Jamaica
1997 Sexta Bienal de la Habana, Cuba
1990 Laura Facey & Cecil Ward, Patoo Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica
1986 Caribbean Art Now, Commonwealth Institute, London, UK
1985 Six Options (Installations), National Gallery of Jamaica
2014 Jamaican National Honour of The Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD)
2010 Aaron Matalon Award for best in show, National Biennial, The National Gallery of Jamaica
2006 Silver Musgrave Medal for sculpture, Institute of Jamaica
1973 Gold Medal, Jamaica Festival Commission
1979 Company Sculptor, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
1978 Technician, Nambe Mills Foundry, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
1978 Woodcarver for Forest Fantasies, Organ, New Mexico, USA
1975 Designed sets and costumes for national pantomime The Witch, Ward Theatre, Kingston, Jamaica
2013 Manaya, Jonathan Stewart Memorial, Campion College, Kingston, Jamaica
2009 Golden Cleat Award, Annual Award for Best Athlete of the Year, Kingston, Jamaica
2003 Redemption Song, Monument to Emancipation, Emancipation Park, Kingston, Jamaica
2000 Christ Ascending, St. Andrew Parish Church, Kingston, Jamaica
1999 Earth to Earth, Sculpture Garden, University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica
2022 Laboratory of the Ticking Heart, catalogue, published at Hot Off The Press, Kingston , Jamaica
2020 Talisman The Goat/Talisman La Cabra, new Spanish/English edition, Mill Press
2014 Radiant Earth, interactive digital iArtBook, Elizabeth Beecher Publications, UK
2013 Weeping in the Blood, Small Axe Journal 40, Columbia University, USA
1992 Chairworm & Supershark, illustrations, The Mill Press, Kingston, Jamaica
1977 Talisman the Goat, text and illustrations, Operation Friendship, Kingston, Jamaica
Team
Kemar Davidson
Studio Foreman
Kevin “Paper” Brown
Carver
Migeal ”Rusty” Williams
Thee Finishing Visionary
Ryan “ Big Twin” McLean
Studio All Rounder
Rayon “Small Twin” McLean
Studio All Rounder
Melbourne “Six” Allen
Studio All Rounder
Carley “Taniel” Nichols
Studio All Rounder
Jenna Gregory
Personal Assistant
Credits
Curator - Melinda Brown
Web Design
Melinda Brown, Laura Facey
Web Development
Michael Matalon – Pixel8 Solutions
Photos
Laboratory Of The Ticking Heart – Ishack Wilmot, Franz Marzouca
Radiant Earth – Damian Griffiths
Propel – Melinda Brown, Peter Dean Richards
Radiant Combs – Melinda Brown
Where I Stand – Melinda Brown
The Everything Doors – Donette Zacca, Laura Facey
Solandra – David Massey, Laura Facey
Redemption Song – Franz Marzouca, Laura Facey, Donald Moore
Christ Ascending – Annie Schlechter
Artist, Curator, Assistants – Melinda Brown, Laura Facey
Videos
Paddlin Spirit – Directed by Amanda Sans Pantling
Radiant Combs – Directed by Melinda Brown
Awakening – Video by Olivia Mcgilchrist
Making of Redemption Song – Photographed by Colin Young, script by Michael Robinson
Their Spirits Gone Before Them – Photographed by Tony Patel, edited by Ramone Wynter