Building Mythology, Culture, and Community: A Conversation with Jay Golding

From Jamaica to Mana Contemporary, Jay Golding explores culture, identity, and storytelling through figurative art.
Some artists paint what they see.

Others create entire worlds.

In my recent conversation with artist Jay Golding at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, we explored how culture, travel, mythology, and personal history come together to shape a unique artistic universe. Jay was participating in the ASCAF Residency at Mana Contemporary, where artists from diverse backgrounds gathered to create, collaborate, and share ideas.

From his Jamaican heritage to his travels through Mexico and his future plans in Ghana, Jay’s work reflects a life shaped by movement, cultural exchange, and storytelling.

From Jamaica to New Jersey

Jay Golding is a figurative artist whose work draws heavily from his Jamaican heritage and the influence of African culture. Born in Jamaica and arriving in the United States at the age of seven, his experience navigating multiple cultures has shaped both his worldview and artistic practice.

His paintings often feature figures adorned with masks, symbols, and references inspired by African traditions, mythology, and ceremonial practices. More recently, his travels throughout Mexico introduced new layers of influence, inspiring imagery that continues to appear throughout his work today.

As Jay explained, growing up as an immigrant gave him a unique perspective on connecting with people from different backgrounds. That openness continues to influence both his creative process and the stories he chooses to tell through painting.

Discovering a Path Through Art

Although Jay enjoyed drawing throughout his childhood, he did not initially view art as a professional career.

After high school, uncertain about what direction to pursue, he decided to study art and eventually attended Kean University. There, strong mentors helped him develop his technical skills and encouraged him to take his creative ambitions seriously.

What began as an interest gradually evolved into a lifelong commitment to building a meaningful artistic practice.

Following the Creative Flow

Unlike artists who maintain rigid studio schedules, Jay prefers to follow the natural rhythm of his creativity.

Some periods find him working late into the night, while others begin with early mornings in the studio. Rather than forcing a specific routine, he allows the creative process itself to determine the pace.

This approach allows ideas to emerge organically from everyday experiences, travel, books, conversations, and moments of observation.

The Importance of Artistic Community

One of the most rewarding aspects of the ASCAF Residency has been the opportunity to work alongside other artists at Mana Contemporary.

Throughout the residency, Jay developed close relationships with fellow participants, regularly exchanging feedback, ideas, and encouragement. He spoke warmly about conversations with artists such as Louise, Leonard, and Patricia, describing how these interactions often helped him navigate creative challenges and discover new perspectives.

For an artist who frequently works independently, the residency provided a rare opportunity to experience the collaborative atmosphere often found in art school while maintaining the freedom of a professional studio practice.

Travel as a Source of Inspiration

Travel has become one of the most significant influences on Jay’s work.

Time spent in California, Mexico, Jamaica, and other locations has directly shaped the themes, imagery, and stories that appear in his paintings. Mexico, in particular, left a profound impact. The country’s architecture, cultural traditions, ceremonies, and Mayan history continue to inspire his current body of work.

For Jay, inspiration often arrives unexpectedly while moving through the world. A scene observed through a bus window, a conversation with a stranger, or a family walking down a street can become the foundation for an entirely new painting.

Photography also plays an important role in his creative process, allowing him to capture moments and revisit them later in the studio.

Creating an Entire Mythology

One of the most fascinating aspects of Jay’s current practice is his commitment to world-building.

He is developing an ongoing series centered around a fictional royal family from a village called Magia Blue. Drawing inspiration from African culture and incorporating Swahili language and symbolism, the project features characters with purple skin, unique identities, and a growing collection of original symbols that carry their own meanings.

Rather than producing isolated paintings, Jay is creating an interconnected universe that continues to evolve with each new work. The project blends mythology, culture, imagination, and storytelling into a visual narrative that extends far beyond any single canvas.

Influences Across History and Contemporary Culture

Throughout our conversation, Jay discussed the artists who have shaped his development.

Historical figures such as Caravaggio, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Michelangelo, and Norman Rockwell all played important roles at different stages of his artistic journey. He particularly admires Kahlo’s emotional vulnerability and Caravaggio’s mastery of technique.

At the same time, he remains deeply engaged with contemporary artists, regularly discovering new voices through social media and online platforms. For Jay, inspiration exists across generations, cultures, and artistic disciplines.

Looking Toward the Future

Following the residency, Jay plans to continue pursuing exhibitions, residencies, and opportunities throughout New York and New Jersey.

At the time of our conversation, he was preparing for a group exhibition at Aqua Gallery in Newark as part of New Jersey’s North to Shore Festival. Looking further ahead, he hopes to travel to Ghana, where family ties and cultural connections promise to open another chapter in both his life and artistic practice.

His aunt, who relocated to Ghana permanently, has even gifted him land there—an opportunity that may eventually become an important part of his future creative journey.

Final Thoughts

What stood out most during my conversation with Jay Golding was his ability to transform personal experiences into universal stories.

Drawing from Jamaican heritage, African traditions, mythology, travel, and contemporary life, his work invites viewers into richly imagined worlds while remaining grounded in genuine human experience.

Whether through conversations with fellow artists, journeys across continents, or the creation of entirely new mythologies, Jay continues to demonstrate how art can serve as a bridge between cultures, histories, and possibilities.

As his practice continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see where the next chapter takes him.

Follow Jay Golding:

Instagram: @jaygoldingart

Website: jaygolding.art

About Tarik Talk

Tarik Talk is an international arts and culture podcast hosted by artist Tarik Mendes. With more than 200 episodes across 50 seasons and conversations recorded across more than 10 countries, the podcast explores the lives, careers, and creative journeys of artists, curators, museum professionals, cultural leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world.

Recorded inside museums, galleries, artist studios, art fairs, and creative spaces, Tarik Talk provides audiences with behind-the-scenes access to the people shaping contemporary culture today.