‘The Art of Reggae’ exhibition arrives at Constellations this June
The International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC) and Positive Vibration, Liverpool’s Festival of Reggae, are to host The Art of Reggae Exhibition, featuring 100 reggae inspired posters designed by artists and illustrators from across the globe.
The IRPC, now in its fifth year, receives thousands of entries each year – and the best of the bunch will be on display on the walls of Baltic Triangle venue Constellations, from 1st June – 15th June. Reggae may have originated in Jamaica, but this exhibition celebrates the truly global sound of modern reggae, with entries from such disparate countries as Greece, Israel, Japan, Cuba and Iran. This powerful synergy of reggae music and art is proof, if it were needed, that Jamaica’s finest export has touched the hearts and minds of billions with its positivity and radiance.
The exhibition, which makes its debut in the UK, is set to give Constellations a Caribbean glow, and Wednesday 1st June will see a launch party for the exhibition from 7pm – 11pm, with free entry to view all 100 posters, alongside reggae DJs and Caribbean food and drink – a fitting warm up for the Positive Vibration – Festival of Reggae on 10th and 11th June.
Displayed posters will be auctioned throughout the exhibition for collection after 15th June, with profits donated to Alpha Boys’ School, the vocational institution for underprivileged youths located in Kingston, Jamaica and founded in 1880 by the Sisters of Mercy. The school is a great Jamaican success story, producing some of the most notable legends in the history of reggae, including Don Drummond of the Skatalites, Desmond Decker and Yellowman. This remarkable institution should be celebrated and supported by all those who admire and love reggae. Without this fertile training ground we might not have this global music we call reggae.
ONE LOVE PALE ALE
The opening of the exhibition will also see the launch of the festival’s official beer – One Love Pale Ale. The beer, a collaboration between Positive Vibration and Liverpool- based, Black Lodge Brewery, is a toast to the late, great Derek Serpell-Morris aka DJ Derek. The much loved DJ was a long time champion of reggae music and played his last ever Liverpool gig (before he retired) for Positive Vibration organisers, Rebel Soul. The beer is named after Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’, the song Derek used to finish his DJ set with.
All proceeds from the sale of the ale will be donated to Trinity Centre – a not-for-profit organisation based in Bristol which aims to engage the local community through music, art and other creative industries.
FREE admission (entry is subject to venue opening times and other events taking place at the venue)
THE ART OF REGGAE EXHIBITION
1st June – 15th June 2016
Constellations, Liverpool, L1 0BS
The exhibition has been kindly supported by Arts Council England.