Petrona Morrison (born 1954) is a Jamaican visual artist, educator, and curator. Her multidisciplinary practice encompasses sculpture, installation, performance, and drawing, and frequently engages themes of post‑colonial identity, gender, and the Caribbean diaspora.
Early life and education
Morrison was born in Kingston, Jamaica. She completed her formal art training at the Jamaica School of Art (now the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts). She later pursued further studies abroad, including at institutions in the United Kingdom, where she expanded her practice and theoretical grounding.
Career
Morrison began her professional career in the 1970s, working as both a practicing artist and an educator. She has held teaching positions at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, where she contributed to the development of visual arts curricula. In addition to her academic work, Morrison has curated exhibitions that highlight Caribbean and African diaspora artists.
Artistic style and themes
Morrison’s work is noted for its use of everyday materials—such as hair, fabric, and found objects—to interrogate cultural memory and identity. She often incorporates performance elements that foreground the embodied experience of Black women in the Caribbean context. Critics have described her installations as “visually striking” and “conceptually rigorous,” emphasizing their capacity to bridge personal narrative with broader sociopolitical discourses.
Exhibitions and recognition
Morrison's art has been shown internationally in both solo and group exhibitions. Notable venues include the National Gallery of Jamaica, the Havana Biennial, and the Venice Biennale, where her work has contributed to broader conversations on Caribbean contemporary art. She has received numerous awards and fellowships recognizing her contributions to visual culture in the Caribbean and beyond.
Selected publications
- Morrison has contributed essays and catalog texts to exhibition publications focusing on Caribbean art, diaspora studies, and female representation in contemporary practice.
Legacy
Petrona Morrison is regarded as a leading figure in Jamaican contemporary art, with her influence extending to emerging artists and scholars interested in the intersections of gender, race, and post‑colonial narratives. Her work continues to be exhibited and researched within academic and museum contexts worldwide.