Transforming Kingston Through Art

Homes and buildings all over Kingston are brightly painted and adorned with pictures of Jamaican icons and smiling children. These murals, often political messages of unity and peace, have turned Kingston into one big, beautiful art project.

Outpostings took to the streets to capture the powerful art on the homes, stores, walls and benches of Kingston.

Jamnesia, a surfing community, is covered with paintings of waves and seascapes.

In Kingston, even the corner stores are works of art.

Life Yard is an eco-village that serves as a community garden, urban farm and vegan restaurant.  A group of men—all under age 40—operate the village.

This Mama Africa mural decorates Tuff Gong International, a recording studio owned by Bob Marley’s family that recently hosted a recording session with hip-hop artist J. Cole.  

Halie Selassie is the reigning Emperor of Ethiopia, and revered by Rastafarians as the returned Messiah.

A Kingston mural depicts political and cultural icons.

An abandoned lot in the Kingston community of Peace Gardens, 41 Fleet Street, is now a bold work of art thanks to Paint Jamaica. Marianna Farag, a French tourist, launched the initiative in 2014 along with two Jamaican artists.

After months of planning and preparation with the community, the Paint Jamaica project was completed in 12 days.

Messages of positivity and peace fill 41 Fleet Street.

“It’s democratic art,” says Paint Jamaica founder Marianna Farag. She plans to expand the initiative to other communities throughout the island.