Bio
Jay Golding’s figurative paintings and drawings evoke mythology, migration, and interconnectedness, creating literal and symbolic layers employed by vibrant palettes in acrylics and oils, which sometimes incorporate collaged or impastoed elements. Golding’s emphasis on tribal cultures within his work often infuses Caribbean and African cultural motifs allowing him to draw parallels between various communities–expressed by his masked figures and other fictional characters such as the purple-skinned beings from the village “Maji ya bluu”, meaning blue water in Swahili. Golding frequently signs his work under the pseudonym Kwame, an alter-ego donned after visiting Ghana in 2019 with his family. He cites his trip to the West African nation as well as Mexico as being life-changing and having profound effects on his practice.
Jay received his BFA in Studio Art from Kean University. He has exhibited his work in various exhibitions in the greater NY/NJ Metropolitan area, including Akwaaba Gallery, The Monmouth Museum, and The Noyes Museum of Stockton University. Jay has also assisted and created public art in the form of murals in the United States, Ethiopia, and Mexico.
CV
Born in 1989 in Kingston, Jamaica
Lives and works in South Orange, NJ
Education
2015 Kean University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Union, NJ
2011 Essex County College, Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts, Newark, NJ
Solo Exhibitions
2017 Jay Golding: OMO, Solo(s) Project House, Newark, NJ
Group/Juried Exhibitions
2023 The Gigantic Miniature Show, Deep Space Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
The Big Small Show, Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Kean Fine Arts Alumni Exhibition, James Howe Gallery, Kean University, Union, NJ
A Parade Through The Years, Mana Contemporary, ESKFF, Jersey City, NJ
The Jersey Narrative, Akwaaba Gallery, Newark, NJ
New Jersey Arts Annual, Noyes Museum Arts Garage, Atlantic City, NJ
43rd Annual Juried Exhibition, The Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, NJ. USA
2022 The Gigantic Miniature Show, Deep Space Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
2021 MASKPARADE, Akwaaba Gallery, Newark, NJ
2020 The Gigantic Miniature Show, Deep Space Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
2019 With Shackles.. We Fly, Akwaaba Gallery, Newark, NJ
2018 Printers in Residence VIII, Newark Print Shop, Newark, NJ
Walls to Smalls, Deep Space Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
2017 Fires of Rebellion, Yendor, Newark, NJ
Art All Night, Artworks Trenton, Trenton, NJ
The Welcoming, Yendor, Plainfield, NJ
2016 Art All Night, Artworks Trenton, Trenton, NJ
Super 8 Art Auction, Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ
2014 Fall Salon Show, Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Summer Salon Show, Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
50 Shades of Spring, East Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Mural Projects
2021 Manifested Energy, Energy Tulum, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Jungle Birds, Energy Tulum, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
2019 Clinton Hill Abandoned Homes, Yendor, Clinton Hill Community, Newark, NJ
2018 Plainfield Utility Box Project, Yendor, Plainfield, NJ
2017 Plainfield Utility Box Project, Yendor, Plainfield, NJ
Peacock Pride, Quitman St. Elementary School, Newark, NJ
Lake Tana Scene, Rooftop Lounge, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
2016 Painting for Breya, Intersection of Lyons and Bergen Ave., Newark, NJ
Newark Industry Mural, Collaboration w/ Layqa Nuna Yawar, 75 N 7th St. Newark, NJ
Gateways to Newark: Portraits, Mural Assistant, McCarter Highway, Newark, NJ. USA
Awards/Residencies
2023 Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation Summer Residency
Eileen S. Kaminsky Family Foundation Spring Residency
2018 Printers in Residence VIII, Newark Printshop
2017 Summer Residence Program, Solo(s) Project House
Public Collections
Eileen S. Kaminsky Residency Permanent Collection
Selected Press
https://www.insightsofayoungecologicalartist.com/features/in-conversation-%3A-jay-golding
Representation
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