*** THE IMAGES ABOVE (EXCLUDING BARREL GIF) ARE NOT PHOTOGRAPHS. THEY ARE DIGITAL RENDERINGS MADE BY THE ARTIST TO DEPICT JAMAICAN CULTURE. ***

I am thankful that I was born as a Jamaican. I spent the first 16 years of my life on this island and those memories still provide a warm feeling inside. I am who I am today because I spent those pivotal childhood years in Jamaica.

Migrating to the U.S. with my family impacted me in ways I didn’t comprehend at the time. That young boy in his mid-adolescence was left in Jamaica, as another part of him set out for a new life in a foreign land. This new life was exciting at first, but as I grew older, that part of me began calling me back to my roots. That longing for Jamaica grew into homesickness and I held onto those childhood memories like a warm blanket. My work serves as that heartfelt embrace, clinging tight to those memories I had while I was away. This form of visual self-expression paved the way for the acceptance of my identity.

Through advancements in technology, I’m able to craft these scenes by merging technical expertise in 3D digital software, photography techniques and my potent memories of Jamaican culture. This blend results in a vivid world of nostalgia and surrealism. Each image is meticulously constructed using software to mimic real-world physics, light, and texture. Although they may look like photographs, these are entirely digital creations, intricately assembled piece by piece.

Thank you for being a part of this shared experience. I hope for more opportunities that will allow me to use my craft as an invitation for you to laugh, reflect, and reminisce on these cherished cultural memories.

The next time you pass by a jerk pan on a street corner or hear a domino table slam, may it remind you of our beautiful culture.

Acquille Dunkley