Permanent Collections

This collection houses a selection of Taino artifacts (Jamaica’s native people) as well as Jamaican and West Indian artwork of the Spanish and English colonial periods. This collection occupies two galleries, and is viewed by special request.

The 20th Century Collection provides a comprehensive overview of twentieth century Jamaican Art, from 1922 - Present and is spread over ten galleries of the specifically Jamaican movements, Mainstream and Intuitive (self- taught), which emerged in the twentieth century.

View the 20th Century Collection.

The Edna Manley Memorial Collection is a specialized collection (of the National Gallery of Jamaica) dedicated to the life and work of Edna Manley. Established by the Edna Manley Foundation and the National Gallery, the collection has been permanently deposited at the National Gallery of Jamaica.

This memorial collection is a specialized collection devoted to the life and work of the acclaimed sculptor widely acknowledged as the “Mother of Jamaican Art”.
View Edna Manley Memorial Collection.

View Edna Manley Biographical Information.

This collection presents major paintings and sculptures by Mallica Reynolds ‘Kapo’, one of the best known and most prolific of the Jamaican Intuitive (self-taught) artists. These 65 pieces form the most extensive single collection of Kapo’s work in existence.

A gift from the collector to the people of Jamaica, The A. D. Scott Collection contains several works by the most influential Jamaican artists of the 1960s and 70s. The works in the A. D. Scott Collection are often moved throughout the Gallery to accomodate temporary exhibitions mounted by the National Gallery.

Aaron Matalon chaired the National Gallery from 1991 until his retirement in 2002.

Mr. Matalon played a tremendous role in expanding the collection and in developing plans for the new National Gallery building (yet to be erected). He was also actively involved in establishing the gift shop and in developing the “Art Fair and Auction” concept as a primary fund-raising tool.

His generosity in personally funding many of the National Gallery of Jamaica’s activities, was climaxed by his own outstanding gifts (along with his wife Marjorie) of over 200 works to the Gallery in 1999.

These works are not assigned to a particular gallery, but instead are incorporated in the historical survey galleries.

Named after Jamaica’s “master potter”, this gallery houses the National Gallery’s Collection of ceramics. It is, however, currently under renovation.

The International Collection is devoted to pre and post 1950 international trends, with a special concentration on art from in the Caribbean region.

The works in this gallery are often removed to accommodate traveling exhibitions or temporary exhibitions mounted by the National Gallery.