'In Fine Style' The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious (photo by Justin Slee)
On Friday 30th September 2016, we launched 'In Fine Style' The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious. The Exhibition and book by Christopher Bateman and Al "Fingers" Newman (One Love Books) celebrated the work of pioneering Jamaican illustrator, Wilfred Limonious (1949–99).
'In Fine Style' The Dancehall Art of Wilfred Limonious (photo by Justin Slee)
Compiled over a number of years, the book featured examples of Limonious’ newspaper comic strips alongside his illustrations for the publications of JAMAL (the Jamaican Movement for the Advancement of Literacy) and his distinctive
artwork for the burgeoning dancehall scene coming out of 1980s Jamaica.
The exhibition featured framed album covers by Limonious for dancehall acts including Yellowman, Joseph Cotton, Johnny Osbourne and Frankie Paul, as well as examples of his newspaper comic strips 'Amos' and 'Chicken' which he produced for The Star in the 70s and 80s.
'Chicken' comic strips by Wilfred Limonious (photo by Justin Slee)
On the night there were refreshments courtesy of Belgrave Music Hall, North Brewing Co and Music from both Al and Matt Bradshaw/Jumbo Records (thank you Duke Studios for the loan of your decks!).
'In Fine Style' alongside Proper Magazine's Limonious special (photo by Justin Slee)
Although he produced hundreds of album covers between 1983 - 1999, Limonious was largely unknown at this point. This book and exhibition were conceived to make right the lack of attention being paid to his art and to celebrate an unheralded architect of dancehall’s aesthetic.
'In Fine Style' is still available from One Love Books and is well worth checking out
