junkanooacome

Jodie lyn-kee-chow

co-curated by Hanne Tierney and klaudia draber

a celebration of 60 years of Jamaican independence

in partnership with KODA

Jamaican-American multi-disciplinary artist Jodie Lyn-Kee-Chow presents costumes, prints, and textile pieces created as part of her ongoing, multi-year performance project, JUNKANOOACOME. This work is informed by her research on Junkanoo, a pre-abolition, pan-Caribbean satirical masquerade and ritual created by enslaved Africans confronting slave-masters.

Junkanoo was traditionally performed around Christmas - the only time of year when enslaved Africans were allowed celebrations - and was named after John Konny (or John Canoe), an 18th century Akan warrior. For seven years, Konny defended his land, current-day Ghana, against Dutch and British invasion.

Lyn-Kee-Chow explores and re-creates the Jamaican Junkanoo characters (Junkanooacome means "Junkanoo is coming" in Jamaican patois), reviving the ritual in 21st century New York and addressing the remnants of slavery displayed throughout the City's historical landmarks. She also seeks to bring back the celebration at different times of the year.
The exhibition begins on Jamaican Independence Day, and celebrates the 60th anniversary of Jamaican independence from British colonial rule.

Sunday, august 28, 4-5pm

Join us as Jodie Lyn-Kee-Chow gives a walkthrough of JUNKANOOACOME, followed by a Q&A.

about the artist:

Jodie Lyn-Kee-Chow's work often explores performance and installation art drawing from the nostalgia of her homeland, Caribbean folklore, fantasy, feminism, globalism, spirituality, environmentalism, and migration. She holds a BFA with honors from New World School of the Arts, University of Florida and an MFA from Hunter College, CUNY. Her work has been featured internationally at venues including Royal West Academy of England, The National Gallery of Jamaica, You You Contemporary Art Centre, Guangzhou, China.

GALLERY HOURS:

Thursday - Sunday, 1 - 6pm, or by appointment. Please email hanne@fivemyles.org, or call 718-783-4438.

DIRECTIONS:

Take 2, 3, or 4 trains to Franklin Avenue. Walk two blocks against the traffic on Franklin. Walk ¾ block to 558 St. Johns Place. FiveMyles is within easy walking distance from the Brooklyn Museum.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

FiveMyles is in part supported by the New York State Council for the Arts, Public Funds from the New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Joseph Robert Foundation, and the William Talbott Hillman Foundation.