In Fine Style is the first solo retrospective of Wilfred Limonious (1949–99), one of Jamaica’s most prolific illustrators and designers, and father of what has become known as ‘dancehall art’. Limonious is loved within reggae circles for his colourful, outrageous album jackets, and in Jamaica for his comic strips for the national newspapers, but virtually unknown in the wider art world.The exhibit opens November 7 at the New Art Exchange in Nottingham, United kingdom.
Curated by Al Newman and Christopher Bateman, this exhibition explores Limonious’ prolific output as an album jacket designer, as well as his cartoons for The Star and illustrations for Jamaica’s national literacy programme, JAMAL. In putting together this exhibition and the accompanying book, the curators seek to promote and celebrate an artist and art form that currently lacks representation in mainstream galleries.
Al ‘Fingers’ Newman is a musician, DJ and cultural historian based in London. His previous books include Greensleeves The First 100 Covers (Stüssy), DPM, an Encyclopaedia of Camouflage (Maharishi) and Clarks in Jamaica (One Love Books). His recent exhibitions include Sound System Culture: Bristol (co-curator) and Art in the Dancehall (co-curator). Dates and times can be found here.
