While Joined Feeling is primarily a Jamaica-based apparel brand, one of our main goals has always been to create a space to learn about and celebrate Jamaican art.
Many of our ideas (from our use of colour, typography and design) are inspired by Jamaican culture. We thought it was not only fitting, but necessary, for Joined Feeling to serve as a platform for emerging Jamaican artists.
Shannon Chen See
@watchensee
instagram.com/watchensee
“Like art, Jamaica’s Blue Mountains have been part of my life from the early days; they are where I feel most at home and at peace. It’s probably why I find myself painting mountains a lot.
I remember days where my mom would lay out rolls of cheap brown paper and let me and my brothers have free reign over it with various markers and crayons. She fostered that creative spirit in us from the beginning.
Now, I carry forward that creative spirit through watchensee, where I try to give words and visuals to those moments and thoughts that make us human.”
Hanif James
@iamhanifjames
“I was walking on the Creative tour in Downtown and I was just learning photography and was really inspired by street photography. When I saw the wall, I loved the words and just at that moment the boy was sitting in the wall cut out. His face was so longing as he watched us pass by and I couldn't help but feel as though there was the raw desperation for love, peace and unity, and yet it felt like an endless pursuit.
Not much to the process, but I try to ask myself the question what moves me and then I learn to take the picture as soon as the feeling hits.”
These three images are actually a collaboration with my friend Anash. She's also a model. These images were a part of a short film I did called 'Beyond the Eye' which was about looking beyond appearances to find the the strength within to move beyond circumstance. The film is a love letter to a black woman who might feel like a nomad within herself and others in a world that can stigmatize and alienate her even in a society that is predominantly black. It was more of a focus on using the environment as a reflection of one's self. Like the mirror that hollows her centre yet reflects the outside. It was also a conversation about the external and internal being one continuous fabric that work in tandem and inseparably with one another.
Jude Issa
@juderude
juderude.com
“I wanted to do a giveaway, but didn’t wanna do the regular repost and tag a friend type thing. Something where people had to get off their phone for a bit and go outside.” @juderude’s Scavenger hunt for his Bottle painting started out with an Instagram story. “Somewhere Uptown”: a picture of the corner of Seymour x Hopefield was posted where a QR code was visibly stuck onto a wooden chest. “The peanut man normally locks that ends but it was Boxing Day so he had to cook his girlfriend dinner.” The QR code popped up a boarding pass graphic taking us to Kaya where we “boarded” the plane and found the painting.
Jude’s Bottles have become one of his most distinguishable series of work. He’s known for his Jamaican-take on recognisable pop culture, his use of bold colours, as well as his signature “rudeness”.
Keren Alfred
@kerencreates
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"In Book Arts, we learn the historical and contemporary techniques that go into making a book. This includes papermaking, calligraphy, letterpress printing, and bookbinding. There are different ways of approaching this - some people are more interested in the craft of making the book while others are interested in using books as their preferred art medium.
I found Book Arts in my last year of undergrad and fell in love with it. I've always loved books and paper and stationery but didn't think I could combine those interests in a meaningful way. Book Arts lets me use my hands and make practical objects but also lets me think creatively, analytically and conceptually about art that I want to make and things I want to share.
My background is in environmental studies so most of my work incorporates plants. I'm also interested in ethnobotany and how plants interact with culture - particularly in the Caribbean. I hope to keep making work that shows how special plants are and how much they impact our daily lives.
I'm most interested in papermaking, calligraphy and letterpress printing. I'm in my second year of my Master's in Fine Arts and it really feels like I'm getting into a groove. I'm in a nice place where I'll make something that I think is the most beautiful thing I've ever made, and then a couple weeks or months later I'll make something else that I think is the most beautiful thing I've ever made.
I wish more people knew about Book Arts because it's such a unique field but books are something that most people know and use on a daily basis. That's why I try to share my process because I think (or at least I hope) people find the work I do interesting."
Nick Anglin
@nuwarhol
nuwarhol.com
“Diving deep and using swimming to represent that. Finding yourself, being comfortable with yourself and moving forward.”
Jason Baugh
@baughler_art
“I have been creating digital artworks for almost 10 years now. My dad was a pilot but started as an architect and set designer for commercials. Much like how his love of drawing came from his father, I remember sketching and doodling with him from a young age.
I studied art in I.G.C.S.E and I.B. and slowly started to blend my love of fine art with the ability to take them to the next level with the computer. First it was enhancing things that I drew, but then it became more about composing original artworks completely using Adobe programs, proudly self-taught. I mainly use Illustrator since I have a penchant for vector art but am also versed in Photoshop, Premiere and AfterEffects. I always try to keep myself from getting rusty and make art that inspires me personally.
For this artwork, I was doing a series of fantasy themes and also underwater photography too, so it was natural to do mermaids. I used pictures of ballet dancers and tried to make the hair look like it was underwater. I love repeating patterns as well so that influenced the composition and background.”
Ashley Lee
@ashmeaganlee
“I’ve always loved to paint but after high school, I was so busy with school and work, I pushed it to the side.
Covid hit and that’s when everyone was staying home trying to keep safe. We had lots of family time and were running out of ideas on how to keep ourselves busy. We have a small Ludi board at home that we’d play sometimes. While we were playing one day, I said “guys I think I want to make a personalized Ludi board for us”. My stepdad also does a lot of wood work so it went hand in hand.
I’m a very technical person so drawing and measuring out the boards is so relaxing for me. I also wanted to challenge myself to see if I could make my idea of the perfect board!
It took a few days to play around with ideas of what I wanted the theme to be. It felt like every time I went on social media I’d see a meme, mugs/cups, pieces of clothing etc. with covid related quotes. I realized that this was it! No one’s made a covid Ludi board yet. It will be unique. I brainstormed exactly what I wanted it to say and just went for it and it came out perfectly.
I find that most people use oil paint for Ludi boards but I decided to use acrylic. It’s my go to medium. I then seal the acrylic with a varnish to prevent the paint from chipping and to protect it from dust.
I actually never intended on selling them, but the feedback I got was so heartwarming! I’ve now turned it into a small side hustle and I’m excited for this journey!”
Sayan Johnston
@by__sayan
Growing up I’d always see wicker furniture, from in my own home to being sold by local craftsmen. I’ve always appreciated their beauty but it wasn’t until I began my journey in product design that I started to wonder what the process was behind these works of art.
My plan for the summer of 2019 was to gain some experience and knowledge of these techniques. I was given the opportunity to shadow with David Myrie, owner of Exquisite Wicker.
I was taught the intricacies and techniques put into this form of furniture making from Donovan Robinson and Camiel Tucker, two master weavers from Exquisite Wicker. They gave me a new found appreciation for weaving, and with their support and guidance I was able to bring my designs to life.
I wanted my designs to feature multiple different forms of weaving techniques while also challenging myself, and the wickers capabilities.
Abra Issa
@issa_artisttt
As an artist, I am constantly stimulated by the visuals around me - always hypnotized by colours and interesting scenes. Combining my love for fashion and art, I am able to physically express the things that fulfill my aesthetic appetite. I am fascinated by the glamour of the fashion world and the edginess of street style, and fortunately, I live in an era where I have access to a world of inspiration at my fingertips. Social media is one of the most helpful tools to me as an artist, and I have accumulated quite a lengthy list of muses on Instagram - @wuzg00d being one of my favorites. Upon seeing this picture of her, I was immediately inspired to paint. Oil, acrylic, and spray paint all went into this piece in my attempt to visually record the delicious colour scheme and the effortless chicness she exudes.