Christopher González
Christopher Francis González
Biography
González was born in
Atlanta, Georgia) during his career.[2]
He was influenced by Edna Manley and Pablo Picasso.[3][4]
He lived and worked within the
Saint Ann Parish
area with his wife and family.
González might be best known for a Jamaican-government commissioned 9-foot-tall (2.7 m) statue created in honor of
Ocho Rios, Jamaica.[1] The somewhat abstract statue depicts a figure with a tree trunk for a lower body and a distorted face.[1] When the sculpture was unveiled on the second anniversary of the iconic reggae artist's death, angry Marley fans threw fruit and rocks at the bronze piece because, according to them, it didn't adequately represent the widely revered artist.[1]
González was also well known for creating two
Norman Washington Manley.[1] Within Jamaica, examples of González's work are displayed at the Jamaica National Heroes' Memorial, the National Gallery of Jamaica, the residence of the Prime Minister and the Bank of Jamaica.[2] He also held both group and solo art shows in Jamaica, the United States, Denmark, Cuba, Canada and Mexico.[2]
Christopher González died of
Montego Bay, Jamaica, at the age of 65.[1] He was survived by his wife, Champayne Clarke-Gonzalez, and six children Chinyere, Odiaka, Asha, Christina, Abenah, and Nailah Gonzalez.[1]
Awards
González was awarded an Order of Distinction for contributions towards art in the Jamaican society, and received several other awards including first prize at the Jamaica Fine Arts Festival Competition in 1965.[2] He was also awarded the Silver Musgrave Medal in 1974.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Jamaican artist Christopher González dies". Fox News. Associated Press. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ Jamaica Gleaner. 29 April 2007. Archived from the originalon 17 December 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
- ^ Jonathan Greenland, "Spirit & Flesh" (interview) Archived 21 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Jamaica Gleaner, 9 July 2006.
- ^ "Expressionistic Sculptor and Painter, Christopher Gonzalez, Died at 65", artdaily.org.
- ^ a b Horace Campbell, "Christopher Gonzalez ...Brilliance amid controversy" Archived 29 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Jamaica Gleaner, 5 August 2008, C3.
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