The Garden that Rita Grew is a beautiful living, breathing tribute to Alfarita Constantia Anderson known to the world as Rita Marley. The closing reception for the exhibition that bears the Matriarch’s name left seeds at City Winery, Pier 57 on Saturday October 26, 2024. Rita Marley was a third of the popular backing trio “I-Threes” who toured and recorded with Bob Marley and the Wailers. Her association with the “I-Threes” alone would have garnered her a place in history, but a deeper dive into the life of Rita Marley reveals so much more about the woman than most would learn in a lifetime.
The curated closing event was fittingly and poignantly presented by Rita’s granddaughter – Doneisha Prendergast, whose mother Sharon Marley was also a member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.
Speaking with a quiet passion, connecting to the audience with prolonged eye-contact, everyone gathered in the gallery space at City Winery hung on Doneisha’s every word as the story of Rita’s early life, family trauma and most of all – ancestry unfolded.
The presentation resonated not just with the writer, but from the sighs of assent, loaded silences, and movement from those in attendance, one voice spoke the history of many.
Encircled by pictures of Rita Marley, her ancestors, her companions in song – those in attendance felt as if they’d been invited into a cozy living room to eavesdrop on the story of a long-line of strong black women. It wasn’t just a celebration of Rita Marley, it was a celebration of humanity and the continued legacy that must be passed on to successive generations.
The purpose of the Exhibition is to raise funds for the Rita Marley Foundation and a much-needed initiative in Trench Town, Jamaica – The Rita Marley Girls center. It is fitting that the work of empowering youths, especially in Trench Town the innercity home to many musicians who helped to put reggae on the world-stage, further enhances the Marley footprint for it was Rita Marley, widowed at a very early age and left to support 13 children, some of whom were not her biological offspring, who fought to continue her husband’s legacy by preserving the home at Hope Road which is now one of the most prominent icons in Jamaica – the Bob Marley Museum.
© Sheron Hamilton-Pearson
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The Garden That Rita Grew: My Grandma Rita art exhibit, curated by film-maker Donisha Prendergast, the granddaughter of Bob and Rita Marley, featured photographs and artwork celebrating the strength, resilience, and creativity of Rita Marley and is powered by Humanity Ova Vanity (HOV).
Photos © Chin ~ RootsmanChin.com