Stolen Edna Manley sculpture returned

KINGSTON — Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, yesterday April 19 presented an elated Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, with the Edna Manley piece, ‘The Trees Are Joyful’, which was recovered and turned in to his Ministry, yesterday.

The prized sculpture was stolen from Unity House in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, last week.

Mr. Samuda said that after speaking with leaders in the scrap metal industry, and impressing upon them the historical and cultural importance of the work, the bronze statue was tracked down.

“I used every ounce of effort and influence I had among the leadership of the industry, and I said to them, I want this statue back…I want you to go from one end of the island to the next, in search of it, from among your membership and from those renegade dealers,” Mr. Samuda explained.

“To my surprise, by the end of the day, it was returned to this Ministry,” the Minister informed.

Expressing her gratitude to Mr. Samuda, Miss Grange condemned the theft of the piece. “It only shows the ignorance of some people, where they really do not know that they are destroying things that mean so much to the country,” she said.

Miss Grange said the incident has served as a signal for her to move quickly to have the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Act amended to protect the island’s cultural treasures.

Outlining the proposed amendments, she explained that anyone who discovers objects with heritage significance will be required to notify the Trust as soon as practicable. The Trust will be required to authenticate these objects, and issue certificates of authenticity to the owners.

“So, we are encouraging owners of artifacts to please register them with the Trust, so that if they are stolen or lost, we can assist with tracking them,” she noted.

Additionally, the amendments make provision for owners to advise the Trust of changes in ownership of heritage sites and objects, to assist with the regulation and management of the heritage inventory.

Meanwhile, the Minister will issue licences for export of certain categories of heritage objects, including: those recovered as a result of archaeological excavations, or accidentally exposed from beneath the ground during other activities; all Taino artifacts; any object made in Jamaica, which is over 100 years old, and deemed by the Trust to be a heritage object; and any other object of national significance for which the Trust shall require a licence for export.

Minister Grange pointed out that the export or import of these objects without proper documents, will result in the detention of the object until there is validation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda noted that while the incidents of theft of metals continue, they have been reduced significantly,  since the trade was overhauled and measures put in place to crack down on rogue dealers/traders.

By ALPHEA SAUNDERS, JIS Reporter