Norma Rodney Harrack’s magical hands help shape the views of the world

Norma Rodney Harrack is a ceramic artist, lecturer and writer.

She is a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and the University of the West Indies (Mona) and is recognised as one of the most outstanding ceramic artists out of Jamaica. Harrack recalls having a very happy childhood, filled with vivid memories of loving, dedicated parents and six siblings.

She said: “Ours was a military family, my father an army Sergeant Major and my mother the caring housewife, provider and adviser. Our excursions were filled with laughter and discovery. As a young child, I was always doodling, hence, I had an instinctive flair for art from a young age. My parents supported my career choice because they recognised my passion. Their encouragement bolstered my pursuit of excellence and I enjoyed the support and admiration of my siblings for the works I crafted.”

 Harrack knows no other way of life and has dedicated the last 25 years to the creative industry.

"I feel that art is innate to my persona and so it is a passion that naturally drives me," she has said.

Despite the natural talent she was born with, Harrack improved her skills under the tutelage of Jamaica's master potter Cecil Baugh at the Jamaica School of Art - now Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

To date, Harrack's work has been shown in Dublin, Ireland; Zagreb, Croatia; Faenza, Italy; Burlington, Canada; Cairo, Egypt; Frechen, Germany; Athens, Greece; Icheon, South Korea; Geneva, Switzerland; Yixing, China; Latvia (Baltic State); Paris, France and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Most recently she flew to Barcelona for the Ceramics in Architecture and Public Space at the Museum of Design that opened on September 12.

"My ceramic work, ‘Tower of Dreams’ was featured in the exhibition and will remain in the Museum after the exhibition closes, as part of the museum's permanent collection," Harrack had told Outlook.

In addition to being a world-renowned artist, Harrack is also on the faculty of the Edna Manley College, where she teaches ceramic art to first- and fourth-year students.

"And then I might find a bit of time for gardening. In the mix, I do some voluntary work and attend committee meetings. And then there are my five dogs and eight budgies," she said.

 Harrack’s awards include, Gold Medals in the Jamaican Festival of Arts, Silver Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica for her outstanding contribution in the field of ceramics, Ceramic Work featured on a special issue of Jamaican postage Stamp, Inducted in the Caribbean Hall of Fame for Excellence (Visual Arts), Award of Excellence for contribution to art by the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, Jamaica, The ‘Doctor Bird Award’ for Fine Art and 70+ Outstanding UWI Women, Institute of Gender and Development Studies, UWI.