Sense of Place
Curator's Statement
Following the momentum of Hues of Jamaica (2024), Heather Sutherland Wade’s latest collection emerges with remarkable vitality—over 60 new canvases having been painted within the last several months. Coastlines, seascapes, river and mountain views—iconic locations like Bob Marley Beach, Lime Cay, Silver Sands and the Rio Grande—form the heart of this year’s exhibition. More than just beautiful vistas, these places are etched into memory, resonating deeply with those who’ve experienced them.
Seeing Sutherland Wade’s new collection for the first time, the phrase ‘sense of place’ resonated. The term, deeply significant in fields like Geography, Urban Planning, and Environmental Studies, describes the dynamic interplay between the physical and emotional characteristics that make a location meaningful.
Sense of Place (2025), the exhibition, invites us to explore such a concept. How does the rockiness of a terrain, the fragility of an orchid, the haziness of the horizon line, shape our connection to a place? How does Sutherland Wade’s depiction of these elements evoke not just recognition, but feeling?
Describing her style as “impressionistic, but somewhat abstract”, Sutherland Wade embraces an approach reminiscent of the Impressionists—capturing mood and atmosphere rather than strict realism. Her practice prioritizes an exploration of colour: “Being able to simplify shape is, I think, what appeals to me, [it] allows me to see big expanses of colour. I love the liberty to use colour how I want to, and not be restricted by what nature says, or what my eyes actually see.” Sutherland Wade’s paintings invite us not only to see these places but to feel them. Through her profound ability to capture physicality while simplifying form and embracing colour freely, her paintings open space for us to form our own impressions and engage on a personal level.
“I wish to convey the beauty of what I see around me and the peace that it creates for me.”
This pursuit has in turn led to the creation of a vivid visual archive of Jamaica’s most cherished spaces. From seascapes to flora, Sutherland Wade’s body of work proves increasingly important today as our natural environment faces growing threats—whether these be from development acquisitions that continue to restrict public access to our beloved beaches, or the escalating impacts of natural disasters driven by climate change.
Sense of Place highlights the urgency in preserving these spaces—not just for their physical beauty, but for the memories and cultural ties they embody. Through her work, Sutherland Wade invites us to reflect on our relationship with place as a vital part of our identity and heritage.