Arts & Culture
Local artist gives Bahamian touch to IAAF World Relays
By Dionne Benjamin-Smith
May 23, 2014 - 12:55:45 PM

Bahamian artist Jolyon Smith

This weekend, The Bahamas will welcome over 800 of the world's fastest athletes from over 40 different countries to our shores, as well as their 300+ team officials, to compete in the International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) World Relays Championships. The Bahamas is 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 will receive unprecedented international sports television coverage totaling in the millions of viewers.

As soon as the athletes, trainers and their enthusiastic supporters descend upon Nassau, they will be 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.

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 Bahamas' 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.

Smith was approached by Bahamian artist Stan Burnside, Special Consultant on Pageantry to the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 Local Organising Committee, and also former teacher of Smith's at the College of The Bahamas.

Burnside comments, "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."

Top left: Bahamian athletes pose in front of a banner with Smith's illustration Bottom right: Bahamian artist Stan Burnside (Photos: Jolyon Smith)

Smith comments, "Mr Burnside had a clear understanding of the direction the graphics should take; he knew what he wanted and was able to communicate that to me very 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."

Smith stated that he is happy that the organisers are pleased and he hopes the Bahamian people will also share in the sense of pride at how they are being represented on the world stage.

The IAAF World Relays will be held in Nassau for two consecutive years. The first edition will take place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 24th and 25th, 2014.

Long shot of stadium interior with winner's podium in forefront (Photo: Jolyon Smith)

Jolyon Smith (middle) poses with The Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage (left), Minister of National Security and Keith Parker (right), President of the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 Local Organising Committee in front of a large banner bearing one of Smith's illustrations. (Photo: Stan Burnside)

Gateway through which all athletes enter the stadium (Photo: Jolyon Smith)

© Copyright 2014 by thebahamasweekly.com -