Theresa Roberts, founder of the Jamaica Patty Company and one of the world’s largest collectors of Jamaican art, has embarked on a UK tour showcasing her remarkable collection of art. The tour, which started at the University of Liverpool’s (UoL) Victoria Museum and Gallery and proceeded to the University of East London, is next expected to stop at Cambridge in the near future.
Roberts, who divides her time between Jamaica and Sloane Square in London, has made it her mission to promote and present Jamaican art to a wider audience. Her collection includes a variety of media, from paintings and sculptures to mixed pieces, providing art lovers with a unique opportunity to appreciate a broad range of Jamaican art and delve deeper into the island’s rich cultural heritage.
In addition to her touring exhibition, Roberts has established an informal “exchange programme” through which she invites up-and-coming Jamaican artists to undertake residencies in the UK. Moreover, for the past decade, in support of the Royal College of Drawing, she has hosted visiting artists at her Jamaican estate, Hanover Grange.
“I am passionate about bringing Jamaican art to a wider audience and providing opportunities for artists to showcase their work,” said Roberts. “I am thrilled to be able to share my collection with the public and to give people a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Jamaica.”
Roberts’ commitment to Jamaican art and culture has recently been recognised by her appointment as an Ambassador/Special Investment Envoy for Culture & Arts by the Jamaican Government. She commented on her recent appointment, “I am absolutely delighted to accept this appointment. It is a testament to my lifelong commitment to promoting Jamaican culture and arts both in the UK and worldwide.”
In her role as an ambassador, Roberts is expected to work closely with the Jamaican Ministry of Culture and various cultural organisations, leveraging her broad UK network and entrepreneurial acumen to attract investment and create opportunities for Jamaican artists. Her appointment underlines the vital role that the diaspora plays in promoting Jamaican culture and facilitating investment, and is set to fortify the ties between Jamaica and its diaspora, particularly in the culture and arts sector.