Inmate sends heartfelt message through art

A page torn from an exercise book serves as a face mask for a young child who is clearly conscious about the need to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The facial covering is properly fitted, but there is a big problem. It has a massive hole that exposes her mouth and nose.

Maybe it is because the child was eating, as evidenced by the spoon she has in her hand, or it could be that the child ate a piece of the paper for lunch. One thing is for sure; the child is not happy. The tears streaming down her face tells the story.

This is a serious piece of art created by 'Hunch', an inmate at one of he island's correctional institutions. His friend, Rohan Livermore, has been seeking sale for this and other pieces across the Corporate Area. According to Livermore, the proceeds go towards support the artist's family and offsetting legal fees.

The paintings, which comes in various sizes, reflect the artist's inner-most thoughts, Livermore said.

"Everybody a guh put dem own spin pon it, enuh, but as you look at them you will see that they have a deeper meaning," he said of the works.

Referencing the crying girl piece, Livermore said that one can easily tell "a wul heap a thoughts inna that".

"They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Him is an artist naturally, enuh, and sometimes him paint from his own emotions at the time, and then sometimes he gets a book and paint from it as well. But as mi say, by looking at it yuh will draw yuh own theories dem," he said.

Livermore said that he regularly walks around in the Corporate Area with the paintings seeking to get as many sale for his friend who he said is "very talented" and can offer "wonderful things through art" if given a second chance.

"He is a very humble and intelligent person. Him always a observe him environment and whenever wi siddung and reason, I get the sense that dis bredda yah is from a different mentality. When mi listen how passionate him be fi pay di lawyer, and how him wah do something for his family, it moved me fi real," he said.

He said that what he does for his friend comes at no cost, as he would want him to do the same for him if he needed help.

"Me is a man weh always a try render some assistance to people, no matter who the person is -- big or small. Inna myself it mek mi feel worthwhile when mi can help others," Livermore said.