The Tribune

By Dionne Benjamin-Smith

This past weekend, the Bahamas welcomed over 800 of the world’s fastest athletes from over 40 different countries to our shores, as well as their 300 plus team officials and numerous international media, to compete in the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) World Relays Championships.

The Bahamas was the first country to host this brand new competition at the IAAF-certified class-one level track at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.

With this high-profile event, the Bahamas received unprecedented international sports television coverage totalling in the millions of viewers.

As soon as the athletes, trainers and their enthusiastic supporters descended upon Nassau, they were greeted by authentically Bahamian Junkanoo designs created by Bahamian artist Jolyon Smith. The designs grace the Arrivals Terminal and surrounding grounds of the Lynden Pindling International Airport, the streets leading to Cable Beach and Paradise Island, in hotel lobbies, and of course throughout the national stadium.

Mr Smith’s original illustrations of three figures showcase a Junkanoo drummer, beller and dancer in traditional costume with each costume representing three aspects of the Bahamas’ environment. The beller, representing marine life, features the country’s national fish, the Marlin. The dancer, representing avian life, features our national bird, the Flamingo, and the drummer represents our nation’s abundance of flora in the form of the hibiscus flower.

Mr Smith was approached by Bahamian artist Stan Burnside, special consultant on pageantry to the IAAF World Relays Local Organising Committee, and also former teacher of Mr Smith’s at the College of the Bahamas.

Mr Burnside said: “I was called in by Keith Parker, president of the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 Local Organising Committee, to be a special consultant to the relay games. He charged me with making sure that the graphics used in the marketing was world-class and something that truly represented the Bahamian aesthetic. It also had to convey to the thousands of visitors and millions of television and online viewers the pride Bahamians feel about their culture. So, I enlisted Jolyon Smith who took on the challenge and ended up creating these genius images that represent us so well. Keith and I are very proud of the result.”

Mr Smith is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and is a master illustrator and artist who has been working in the art and design field for more than 23 years. He has painted, sculpted and also created illustrations for books, magazines, logos, interior designs and much more. Interestingly enough, one of the hundreds of logos he has created over the years is the official logo for the governing body of the national stadium in which the IAAF World Relays are being held.

“Mr Burnside had a clear understanding of the direction the illustrations should take; he knew what he wanted and was able to communicate that to me clearly. He essentially acted as an art director and I was able to translate his ideas into something that is lively, engaging and truly representative of the Bahamas,” Mr Smith said.

“I am happy that the organisers were so pleased with the results. I hope the Bahamian people also shared in the sense of pride at how they were represented on the world stage.” Smith also acknowledged Graphic Artist Doyle Rolle who did a great job laying out all the signage graphics which utilised Smith’s illustrations.

• Check out “Made U Look” on PAGE 8 for our photo special on Jolyon Smith’s IAAF World Relays art.