Richard Nattoo

Richard Nattoo was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, in 1993.[2][3] He received his early education from Ardenne High School in Kingston.[4][3] He pursued his studies in architecture at the University of Technology, Jamaica.[5][3] Later, he transitioned to a career as an artist.[5]

Richard has showcased his work in several exhibitions at the National Gallery of Jamaica,[5] including the Jamaica Biennial (2014, 2017), Young Talent (2015), Digital (2016), and the Summer Exhibition (2019).[3][6] He has also held solo exhibitions titled Reverberation of the Silent Echo (2014),[7] Fragility (2019),[3][4] Fragility Part 2 (2019),[3][6] Existential, Salvation II – The Beautiful Depression,[8] and When My Father Took Us Fishing.[8]

His primary mediums are watercolors, pen and ink on canvas. Nattoo currently resides and works in Kingston.[5]

Richard's work explores the transition from childhood to adulthood, in a Westernized society, exploring the loss of childhood and forgotten majic.[9] It chronicles the journey of three central characters: the Wanderer, a Rabbit, and a Majician—the latter being a young boy named Ian.[9]

The Wanderer symbolizes Richard's personal journey towards maturity, grappling with a newfound sense of numbness and detachment.[9] This emotional void leads to an encounter with the Rabbit, who in turn introduces him to the Majician.[9] Together, they traverse a forest, seeking wisdom from their ancestors to rediscover the innocence and passion of youth.[9]

• 2020: Prime Minister Youth Award (Arts and Culture)[10][11]
• 2022: Winner of the Reimagine Nanny Competition[12]
• 2023: Fellow at the Noldor Artist Residency, Ghana[9][13]