The University of Technology (UTech) on Monday (February 6), unveiled a
sculpture of late Reggae icon, Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, at its Papine campus
in St. Andrew.
The piece, which has been erected in the institution’s Caribbean Sculpture
Park, was designed by Russian sculptor, Gregory Pototsky, and presented as a
gift to the institution and, by extension, the government and people Jamaica.
The unveiling of the Bob Marley sculpture coincided with the 67th
anniversary of the late Reggae exponent’s birth, and was one of two pieces
formally presented to UTech. The second was a sculpture, dubbed: “People’s
Organism”, designed by Jamaican artist and Edna Manley College for the Visual
and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) alumnus, Warren Buckle.
Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, in welcoming the gesture by Mr.
Pototsky, noted Bob Marley’s focus and commitment to uplifting the ordinary
person, through Jamaica’s foremost cultural and musical art form, reggae. She
said the late musician had touched and inspired the lives of millions globally,
including Mr. Pototsky, adding that “his legacy lives”.
Ms. Hanna said the sculpture would be as a lasting monument between the
people and governments of Jamaica and Russia, noting that it “will stand as a
lasting reminder of our friendship and cooperation”.
The Minister also commended UTech’s input in the undertaking through, among
other things, facilitating its erection in the Caribbean Sculpture Park. She
urged the institution to build on the Marley legacy by ensuring that students
have an outlet for “putting their talent to work”.
“As we confront the challenges in our fiscal space, we must reflect on the
need to put in place, systems to bring greater prosperity to our people,
especially our young people, and unearth the fire in them that drives them to
reach higher and to do more. We must learn from the achievements of Bob Marley
to, first, believe in our culture, and then invest in its capacity to transform
our lives and create wealth among our people,” she asserted.
The Culture Minister also stressed the need for the nation’s abundant
budding young talents to be provided with the infrastructure that will
facilitate their creativity while yielding them economic success.
“You, at the UTech, with your emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship,
can help to lead the way in creating systems and programmes to foster
sustainable prosperity among our young people, using art and culture. At UTech,
you should be allowed to dream, as young people, and know that |