Rasta Culture in New York

There are several Rastafarian artists that have had an impact in their respective homeland of Jamaica that to some degree has been noticed in America. While they don’t really have presence in New York City museums, some have gallery presence or presence within the film world.

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Lawrence Graham-Brown

Lawrence Graham-Brown (1969-)

Ras-Pan-Afro-Homo Sapien, 2009

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Lawrence Graham-Brown is a Rastafari artist that frequently exhibits in New York City galleries. He is a gay man and his work focuses on the parallelisms between African pride and gay pride. He does this in works by juxtaposing and combining Rastafari iconography and gay pride symbols. The two movements celebrate independence, freedom, and individuality to Americans which is why his work has such visual power. The rest of his portfolio can be found on his website, http://lawrencegrahambrown.com.

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The Wash (2011), Mixed media collage.

Coat of Arms (2007), Mixed media mannequin.

Heavy, Heavy Load (2009), Mixed media assemblage.

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Ras Kassa

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Ras Kassa is a Jamaican-born filmmaker that is known widely for his music video direction, but he also has made art films. Those are harder to obtain but his philosophy as a director is demonstrated in the above interview as well as in the following music videos. When combined with the music of these dancehall artists, Ras Kassa is able to visually capture characteristics of Jamaican culture and lifestyle. He often works with dancehall artists that have made contributions to popular American music. He has also directed music videos for Willie Nelson, an American country star.

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Bounty Killer, “They Don’t Know Corrupt”

Assassin, “Same Ting Again”

Willie Nelson feat. Toots Hibbert, “I’m a Worried Man”

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Ras Daniel Heartman

Ras Daniel Heartman was a Rastafarian artist that worked primarily with etchings. Iconographically, the subjects he chose to focus on were Jamaicans, and therefore his work became representative of Jamaican attitudes, including beliefs attributed to the Rasta religion.

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All, Ras Daniel Heartman. Etchings, details and dates unknown.

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Sources

Ama, “From Mythologies to Realities: The Iconography of Ras Daniel Heartman.” Small Axe
     23 (2007): 66-87.

Graham-Brown, Lawrence, “Lawrence Graham-Brown.com.” Accessed May 7, 2014.
http://lawrencegrahambrown.com.

Kurth, Robyn, “Director Ras Kassa’s Jamaican Roots Keep Him Close to Home.” Last updated October 11, 2007.
http://www.mvwire.com/2007/10/11/director-ras-kassa%E2%80%99s-jamaican-roots-keep-him-close-to-home/.

Rockstone & Bootheel: Contemporary West Indian Art. Edited by Kristina Newman-Scott and

Yona Backer. Hartford, Connecticut: Real Art Ways, 2010.