Sunlight Reverie
A special collaboration with Jeano Edwards and CKTRL
Tending to the yard under sky’s azure glow - the pursuit of everything real and good, true and proper. The latest in the ongoing collaboration between Grace Wales Bonner and Jamaican filmmaker Jeano Edwards is an attempt to capture the importance of the Caribbean front yard and the tender gallantry of those devoted to its beauty. A practice with portraiture as its natural progression, a stylish expression deserving of documentation.
Sunlight Reverie is a photographic exploration of the front yard as the source of pride, opportunity for showcase, and celebration of personal style, but also the way towards shared life, towards togetherness. Pastel walls and ornate wrought-iron give way to the abundant green of the banana tree, and the bright pop of flowers in bloom. A space cultivated for the full enjoyment of others. A ritual ode to bountiful gatherings. Shot in the Portland Parish of North Eastern Jamaica, the photo story features Wales Bonner’s Spring Summer 2022 collection Volta Jazz - clothing made to express all that begins in the home and emerges into the yard. The material for an artful existence, for self-representation with the purest of intent.
Everything Nice.
Sunlight Reverie includes a soundscape from South-London based musician CKTRL, where yard feelings and yard times are brought to life through bursts of melodic saxophone over a unique rendition of the Nyabinghi rhythm: for groundings wherever you are. CKTRL is photographed by Jeano Edwards wearing Wales Bonner Autumn Winter 2022 Togetherness collection.
the winner,
not just baddest style
or baddest sound,
but victory
when the banana tree abounds.
the needs of the spirit
framed by pale blue,
light yellow,
sun hue.
in every portrait,
life born anew.
cameras strike
between comings and goings,
convivial moments
flash into view.
this is me now,
this my yard too.
Photography Jeano Edwards
Styling Sydney Rose Thomas
Styling Assistant Chavelle Wilson
Photography Assistant Mikhail Ranklin
Models Dequan and Domique Layne, Jonny Baele, Kevonie, Aakesh Henderson
Casting Larissa Gunn and Saint Models Jamaica
Production Maxine Walters Production
Words Liam Sangmuah
Location Fairyhill Portland