Spirit of Budhai

Remembered by several Montegonians as a very humble, insightful man who enjoyed sharing his thoughts with the many visitors to his studio, Budhai diligently painted vibrant street scenes, historical landmarks, and everyday life of cities he had traveled to and lived in. His extensive studies were born only of his quest for excellence and love of his art prior to settling in Jamaica.  He was awarded a scholarship courtesy of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to study in Spain where he studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, and the National School of Graphic Arts in Madrid Spain.  He also pursued further artistic training in Paris, France at L’École Nationale Supérieure des Arts appliqués et des métiers d’art.

 

He settled in Jamaica during the early sixties and established an art studio in the city of Montego Bay, on Fort Street. Many local and international visitors stopped by his studio to view his art on their way to other destinations in and around town and eventually, he established the Budhai Art Gallery in Reading on the outskirts of Montego Bay.  Budhai’s paintings of market higglers, houses trimmed with wooden fretwork and historical landmarks were popular across Jamaica and they were an exemplary representation of Jamaica and its environs during the 1960s.  

 

Budhai, who spent most of his adult life in Jamaica, created colourful interpretations of past and present Jamaican life and eventually saw himself as a full-fledged Jamaican. He was the co-founder and first president of the Western Jamaica Society of Fine Arts and he received the Centenary Award from the Institute of Jamaica for his contribution to the development of art in Jamaica. Budhai’s practice and career has been inspirational for several Jamaican artists and he strongly believed that  Jamaican art was a key component to the development and enrichment of Jamaican culture and heritage. 

 

The opening reception of Spirit of Budhai at the National Gallery West was free and open to the public on November 17, 2019,