The Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) Flag Roundabout has been officially unveiled, transforming one of Kingston’s main entry points into a vibrant artistic landmark that reflects the capital’s identity as a UNESCO Creative City.
The newly completed roundabout, revealed on Friday, June 26, features a bold mural titled “Traffic Blockin”, designed by acclaimed Jamaican artist and 2019 Prime Minister’s Youth Awardee Matthew McCarthy. The work was brought to life with support from fellow Jamaican artists Suzanna Missenburger, Joshua Solas, Kokab ZD, and Taj Francis, with Travis “Habibi” Bailey and Dean Sutherland providing production assistance. Kingston Creative served as the execution partner for the installation.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, praised airport operator PAC Kingston Airport Limited (PACKAL) for backing the initiative, stating that the project exemplifies “what is possible when private capital supports creative enterprise.” She also highlighted the airport’s evolving role as a cultural hub, referencing her 2019 unveiling of a mural exhibition honoring the Windrush generation.
“Today we continue this tradition [by] utilizing [this] vibrant medium to transmit our stories through art, visually and expressively translating the irrepressible rhythmic beats of our heart and our music,” said Minister Grange, as she endorsed the “muralization” of the rebranded roundabout. She added that the ministry has “invested more than $80 million on mural projects to demonstrate its commitment to the entertainment, cultural, and creative industries, and to the many individuals and participants within the ecosystem,” while announcing a forthcoming mural project in Ocho Rios.
Artist Matthew McCarthy shared his vision behind the artwork: “I created a piece that was a cacophony of birds. The idea was that people are ready to take flight when they’re heading out to the airport. The birds themselves migrate from different countries throughout the Caribbean… that was the personification of us as travellers.” He also praised PACKAL for granting him full creative freedom. “They really allowed me to just create. They didn’t come out one time and say, ‘could you please make this, this, or that…’”
McCarthy’s selection followed an open call by PACKAL in February and a competitive process managed by Kingston Creative. “It was an honour to be chosen to lead the execution of the PACKAL Art Monument, and we’re especially proud that Jamaican artist Matthew McCarthy brought his exceptional talent to such a prominent gateway into the City of Kingston,” said Andrea Dempster Chung, Executive Director of Kingston Creative.
Sitara English-Byfield, CEO of PACKAL, noted that the unveiling marked a fitting close to a project initiated by her predecessor, Fernando Vistrain. “We’re very excited about this cultural monument as it represents more than beautification. It’s a powerful first and last impression of Kingston that captures our city’s vibrant spirit,” she said. A 30-foot by 15-foot Jamaican flag was raised at the end of the ceremony as the final touch.
English-Byfield also stressed the importance of local involvement: “It was very important to us that this monument would also serve a tribute to the high professional and creative standards of our local artists and contractors.”
The unveiling coincides with PACKAL’s broader airport transformation program, a US$161 million (J$25 billion) initiative aimed at elevating NMIA into a world-class gateway to Kingston and the rest of Jamaica.
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