Introduction

The online exhibition presents a small, cross-section of different types of artists in Jamaica whose work relate to the recent history of violence on the island. Most of the images on display relate to what has become popularly known as the Tivoli Incursion. In May 2010 the Jamaican military and police forces went into the community of Tivoli Gardens to arrest and extradite Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, a community leader, and reputed head of the Shower Posse gang, who was wanted in the US  on drugs and weapons trafficking charges.  An armed conflict erupted between gunmen protecting Coke and the security forces, trapping residents of the community. The result of the two-day event was the deaths of over 70 civilians and three members of the security forces, hundreds of arrests, and many injuries. Within the following weeks, Coke was found and turned over to US authorities where he is now serving a lengthy prison sentence.