Ras Dizzy Paintings for Main Library

Retired Deputy Principal of the UWI, Mona Campus, Joseph Pereira, signs over a collection of paintings by late Jamaican intuitive artist Ras Dizzy to the Main Library. Looking on is Campus Librarian Leona Bobb Semple.

The art collection at the UWI, Mona’s Main Library received a significant boost recently when retired Deputy Principal, Mr. Joseph Pereira, handed over to the Library his collection of twenty-three paintings by the Jamaican intuitive artist, the late Ras Dizzy.

Mr Pereira described Ras Dizzy as a well known personality on the Mona Campus and its unofficial artist-in-residence. He explained the evolution of his collection of Ras Dizzy’s paintings and gave an insight into Ras Dizzy’s iconography, symbolism and personality. He also felt that the Library was the best location, both to display the collection to a large number of viewers and to preserve it for posterity. One of the stipulations of the donation was that it “should not be sold, given away or discarded.”

In receiving the Collection on behalf of the Library, Campus Librarian, Leona Bobb-Semple expressed the Library’s gratitude to Mr. Pereira and explained that the Library already had over 140 pieces exhibited in its public spaces. She explained that it is the Library’s policy to expose students to all facets of Caribbean culture and its art collection was a major part of this exposure. The paintings can be viewed in the Post Graduate Learning Commons, Main Library.

Mr. Pereira, who was an avid collector of works by Ras Dizzy, disusses features of the artist’s work with Librarian Bobb-Semple.