Our People, Our Spirit, Our Stories | Denzil Forrester

Denzil Forrester is a Grenadian-born British artist acclaimed for vibrant, large-scale paintings capturing the energy of London’s 1980s reggae, dub, and dancehall scenes while addressing racial injustice. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, he blends Afro-Caribbean and European influences with expressionist and cubist elements. His works, often drawn from nightclub sketches and events like the death of friend Winston Rose, have earned major awards and international exhibitions.

Denzil was a keen participant and follower of Jah Shaka Sound in the 70’s and 80’s in London and his north London studio was a base for his paintings of Sound System. Jah Shaka played north London venues such as The Rocket and Camden Market’s Dingwalls and Denzil would often be seen with his sketch book, charcoal and pastels and chalks sketching fiercely and with a unique two handed style. He captured the true essence of the dance, as eah sketch was dictated by the length of the musical track. Thousands of these preparatory drawings would then feed into subsequent paintings.

Jah Shaka 1983 is displayed here.

Black and White photo of Jah Shaka Sound is by Normski

Denzil currently resides in Truro Cornwall.

Age: 70 years (1956)