Jah Calo the gifted artist

'Jah Calo' is serious about black empowerment and uses his skill as an artist to showcase the pride and power of his people.

The self-taught artist, whose given name is Calvin Clunie, creates and displays his works of art at his premises which he calls Studio Black, located at Belmont in Westmoreland.

"I love art so much that I eat, sleep and drink art," Jah Calo told THE STAR.

The 69-year-old said he knew he had the talent be an artist and started drawing at age seven.

"I had to teach myself how to do carving, though it was not easy. Looking at some art, I realised black people were portrayed as monkeys in some drawings, so I said I would change how black art is done. I name my art studio 'Studio Black'. Persons would say I am racist, but black I am, I am proud to be black," said Jah Calo.

Born in St Catherine, Jah Calo visited Westmoreland for a two-week visit in 1977 and never left. He said it was like a dream and he fell in love with the place.

"I prefer the cool country because it brings out the deep art in me," said Jah Calo , whose works have been the subject of high commendations for decades.

Tourists are his biggest clients. Jah Calo said that they are particularly interested in pieces depicting aspects of the Jamaican culture.

"Things like the sunset, faces, lions, because of Lion of Judah, national bird and flower along with Rastafarian items," the Rastafarian said.

Not surprisingly, Jah Calo draws inspiration from Peter Tosh, a son of Belmont, who used reggae as his weapon to fight injustice.

"He is the toughest -- not to fight and war but morality wise. He is the only artiste I can paint without looking at a picture," said Jah Calo, who painted the 'Legalise it' sign in Belmont, which pays homage to the late musician.

The gifted artist said that the quality of his work and the stories that his pieces tell often capture the imagination of persons, many of whom become repeat customers.

"I don't sell my art, people just come and buy it. I don't go out there asking people for sales. They see something unique and original and just want it. My art is all over the continents. I couldn't even tell you that I have a best seller because I don't repeat my art and craft. If a client spend money, why not give them value?"

Life as an artist was not always smooth sailing for him. More than a decade ago, his studio was vandalised and burnt to the ground.

"I had to use my savings and get help from friends and some of my artwork in order to sustain me" he said.

On a positive note, the passionate artist told THE STAR that he has taught his craft to other persons and they are now artists in their own right.

"Mi glad them can make it on them own now. Some gone overseas and some in parts of Jamaica like Negril. I don't only teach art, I also teach some university students about my culture," he said.