Creative industry stunned by artist’s murder

The creative community in Jamaica has been shaken by the violent murder of Kenya-born Jamaican fusion sculptor Mazola wa Mwashighadi, a death wholly at odds with the man they knew. He had made Jamaica his home since 1997, settling in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, in 2022.

Celebrated for his eclectic talent, he is remembered just as strongly for his quiet, peaceful demeanour, his humility, joie de vivre, honesty and wisdom, and for his instinctive optimism.

Members of the art world and the Treasure Beach community told The Gleaner of their respect and admiration for a man whose work stirred a wide range of emotions. Yet sadness and shock dominated every conversation.

For Andrea Dempster Chung of Kingston Creative, “Mazola was a multi-dimensional artist, from Kenya, living and working in Jamaica, teaching, exhibiting, and he was an integral part of Kingston’s arts community.” She added, “A deeply spiritual man, he exuded calm and peace, and his work was layered with significance, with the repurposing of things others would have discarded and echoes of his homeland. We will deeply miss Mazola, and send our condolences to his family.”

Jason Henzell, businessman and Treasure Beach community leader, said, “Mazola was a tremendously kind person and talented artist who had chosen to make Treasure Beach his second home.

“We were excited about the way in which he was contributing to the art movement in our community including his contribution to the fledgling art festival which was held earlier this year,” Henzell said, adding that the late artist was a very close friend of his mother.

“Together they would retrieve pieces of driftwood and transform them into unique pieces of art. After Hurricane Melissa, Mazola felt compelled to offer workshops to help heal trauma through art, although because of his sudden passing he was unable to do so. We are extremely saddened by his loss, and our offer deepest condolences to his family.”

As Senseless as it Gets

Master drummer Maroghini said he still cannot come to terms with the loss, calling it “as senseless as senseless gets”. Even so, he offered a tribute: “I had the immense fortune of knowing Mazola. He was a truly remarkable soul, someone who had the rare and beautiful ability to brighten any room just by being in it. His company was a gift, a comfort, a joy, and genuine pleasure. But, his impact extended far beyond mere happiness; he was also a source of profound wisdom.”

Mazola exhibited at Olympia Gallery in Papine, St Andrew, where operator Rosemary Thwaites came to know him well. “Mazola was a multi-media creative with extraordinary ability to use found objects to make his artworks,” she said. “He was a humble person willing to share his knowledge with anyone, and wanted and worked so hard to grow our art community. His vision and commitment was ‘we need as many persons to understand our art conversations’.”

Across the road at the University of Technology, visual arts lecturer and Axis editor Sara Shabaka reflected on the plans he will never fulfil. “Had he not been brutally murdered, he would have been our guest at the final critique for the first-year architecture students at the Caribbean School of Architecture, which took place this week. He was so looking forward ‘to learning from the students’ as he would often say to me. He was planning a furniture show for 2026 and his work was becoming more influenced by architecture. His most recent furniture pieces were inspired by the architecture of Timbuktu combined with the Swahili geometries of the wraps (lesos/kangas) that the women wear. I’m forever grateful for the time we had and the friendship we shared.”

As a teacher, Mazola engaged students in wide-ranging conversations about art and life. A natural philosopher, he left an impression as enduring as his work. Former student Marcia Adams, a multi-talented creative, said, “Mr Mazola was exceptional, a rare gem, a man of peace.”

Her tribute was deeply personal: “You were very loving and caring. You took nothing seriously and took everything with a smile. You were never selfish with your knowledge and ideas in the crafting. You have taught me so much. You were the one who took me to my very first craft event … And they took your life and shattered my world. My life will never be the same without you, my friend, and in everything I do, I will honour and respect you name.”

editorial@gleanerjm.com