A legacy cast in bronze
Renowned sculptor Basil Watson bridges past and future through art
Published:Sunday | September 22, 2024 | 12:09 AMJanet Silvera - Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
In the vibrant tapestry of artistic expression, few figures shine as brightly as renowned Jamaica-born sculptor Basil Watson. Celebrated for his ability to breathe life into bronze, his works resonate with profound emotion and historical significance.
His latest masterpiece – a striking 12-foot bronze statue of the United States civil rights leader John Lewis – was unveiled on August 16, 2024, in DeKalb County, Georgia, standing tall on a four-foot rugged granite pedestal that symbolises the burdens he carried and the strength required to overcome them.
Commissioned to replace a Confederate monument dedicated to white supremacy and oppression, this powerful tribute not only honours a champion of justice but also marks a transformative chapter in the region’s history.
Born in Kingston, the son of renowned painter Barrington Watson told The Sunday Gleaner that he had admired Lewis for years, even creating an unsanctioned portrait of him before being commissioned to create the monument.
“When I heard he was ill, I just felt compelled to capture him,” Watson said, recalling how he was drawn to Lewis’ integrity and the way he “wore his heart on his sleeve”.
The opportunity to immortalise a figure such as Lewis, who died in 2020, resonated with Watson deeply, especially since the monument would be sited in a place where systemic racism had once been physically represented.
The project itself took more than three years from conception to completion and he recalled moulding the initial clay structure, which was then digitally scanned and enlarged to its final 12-foot scale.
“The actual work took about a year and eight months, but the process was extended with contract negotiations and the decision-making process from the commissioners,” Watson explained.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by local leaders such as Senator Raphael Warnock and former Congressman Andrew Young, who spoke passionately about Lewis’ legacy.
“It was a festive atmosphere,” Watson recalled. “There was good music, brilliant speakers, and an overwhelming sense of emotion and appreciation from the crowd.”
Since its installation just shy of a month ago, Watson said he has received countless letters of gratitude, with many admirers calling the monument a fitting tribute to a man who had given so much to his country and community.
conveying emotion and historical depth
While the John Lewis monument highlights Watson’s exceptional talent for conveying emotion and historical depth, it is by no means his only noteworthy creation. Over the years, he has produced some of the world’s most iconic sculptures, each marking a pivotal point in his artistic evolution.
One such moment came with his commission to create a statue of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, a project he describes to as a “milestone event”. His personal connection to the project runs deep; his father was a visiting professor at Spelman College in 1970 when the Atlanta-based school commissioned him to paint a portrait of King. Watson saw his selection to create the King monument as a continuation of that legacy.
“To be able to sculpt Dr King, knowing my father had his own artistic connection to this community made the work all the more meaningful,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.
His work on the Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station in the United Kingdom also holds special significance, especially because of his family’s ties to the Windrush generation – the group of mainly Caribbean migrants who went to England after World War II to help it rebuild.
“My parents were part of that generation, and to honour their legacy and that of so many others through sculpture was a powerful experience,” Watson said.
This work was his first major foray into the British art scene and it helped expand his international reputation.
In May, the Government announced that next year a replica of the Windrush monument is to be mounted in downtown Kingston, the site where the HMT Empire Windrush, which brought the first large group of these migrants to Britain, departed from Jamaica on May 24, 1948.
Then, there is the statue of global legend Usain Bolt, Jamaica’s most celebrated athlete. This work, Watson acknowledges, remains one of his most popular.
“Usain’s statue resonates on a global scale, not just because of his athletic achievements, but because of what he represents for Jamaica – a symbol of pride, excellence, and resilience,” the sculptor said.
Bolt’s statue, he added, stands as a tribute to both the man and the spirit of a nation.
proven himself a master
Through each of these works and several other works, Watson, who lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia, has proven himself a master at translating the human experience into bronze. His sculptures not only honour individuals, but they also capture the essence of key moments in history, offering viewers a sense of connection to the past and inspiration for the future.
“I don’t like to say that any one piece is my best,” Watson mused. “Each work is special, but the John Lewis monument does hold a unique place for me, given its historical and cultural significance.”
Cultural anthropologist Sharon Gordon, who has been admiring Watson’s work over the years, says with each piece of work, he has forged a historical connection for future generations to have and appreciate heroes who have carried the banner of liberation in their work.
“The placing of the hands over John Lewis’ heart evokes so much emotion for me because John Lewis gave us his heart and his life and Watson captured that,” she commented.
At 67 years old, with a career spanning decades, Watson shows no signs of slowing down. His family continues to play an integral role in his work, with his son Kai following in his artistic footsteps as a painter, and his daughter Tanya managing his projects. Supported by his wife of 43 years, Donna, Watson’s journey is one of dedication – not only to his craft, but to the stories of those whose lives have shaped the world.
As Watson reflects on his illustrious career, it’s evident that his artistry transcends mere sculpture; it stands as a lasting tribute, inviting viewers to connect deeply with the legacies of figures of change, icons of resilience, and the enduring spirit of justice.