Written by Alex Bonijah - Reggaecolombia

July 28, 1950 - November 14, 2023

Through a statement on his official Instagram account (@nevillegarrick); Neville Garrick's family announced his peaceful transition in California, after facing a brief but courageous fight against cancer.

The brilliant career of this extraordinary pioneer of graphic design in Jamaica spans 50 years of hard work dedicated to various fields of the entertainment industry such as music, culture, photography, film, performing arts; inter alia.

Fully focused on contributing to the development and global expansion of reggae, his artistic work represents an immeasurable legacy that transcends time, space and distance.

Neville fully fulfilled the mission of presenting reggae and its culture to the world through striking images that condense messages of spirituality, love, respect and protest, reflecting human history and the true social power of music.

Thanks to his enormous creative ability and innovation as a graphic designer and photographer, he was commissioned to design many of the album covers, logos, posters and memorable pieces of conceptual art for Bob Marley & The Wailers. He traveled often with Bob and remained a very close and supportive friend of the Marley family, working devotedly on numerous projects; until his last days.

Aside from Bob Marley & The Wailers and the Marley family, the prolific graphic artist had room to work with Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Judy Mowatt and Ras Michael. Likewise, during the 1980s, he designed more than 20 backdrops for the Reggae Sunsplash festival. He is also the author of the book A Rasta's Pilgrimage: Ethiopian Faces and Places (1999); a photographic chronicle of his trip to Ethiopia.

Garrick was instrumental in the implementation of proper lighting in sets and multimedia projection for musical shows. In their live concerts, Bob Marley & The Wailers had several backgrounds carefully designed by Neville Garrick to rigorously complement songs like "War", "So Much Things To Say", among others.

Garrick came to occupy an important position within the organization which gave him the same status as the other members of the band. His artistic vision brought Marley's music to life, becoming an integral part of the reggae legend's cultural impact.

After Bob Marley's death in 1981, Garrick helped create (and served as Executive Director) of the Bob Marley Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the musician's legacy.

Neville co-produced the famous documentary “Time Will Tell” (1992) which presented the public with new images, ideas and testimonies surrounding the life and work of Bob Marley.

The Bob Marley & The Wailers albums for which Neville designed the artwork are: "Rastaman Vibration", "Exodus", "Kaya", "Uprising", "Survival", "Babylon by Bus" and "Confrontation". He also designed the artwork for Bunny Wailer's classic LP "Black Heart Man." To Peter Tosh; "No Nuclear War" and for the English band Steel Pulse the albums "Earth Crisis" and “Babylon The Bandit,” and many more.

His contributions to culture and music extended far beyond the realm of album covers and conceptual art. Garrick's work exemplifies the creative versatility and appropriate use of the language of visual art.

Among the recognitions he received for his contributions and dedication to the arts, the Prime Minister's Award of Excellence stands out, awarded on August 6, 2005, at the ceremony celebrating the 43 years of Jamaica's Independence.

In 2022, the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) presented Garrick with the Gregory Isaacs Foundation Award for Album Design to highlight and celebrate his significant contributions and achievements that have positively impacted the global development and promotion of reggae.

On August 6, 2023 in recognition of his contribution to music, art and culture locally and internationally, he was awarded the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD).

Earlier this year, the cover of “Rastaman Vibration” (his first album for Bob Marley) was recognized by Billboard magazine after being ranked number 22 on the 100 Greatest Album Covers of All Time.

At the time of his death, he was working with his son Nesta on the documentary “Color the Music,” which chronicles his career. He also collaborated with Ziggy Marley in his latest project with the Marley family in the role of historical advisor to Paramount Films, Bob Marley Biopic: One Love, a film whose release date is announced for February 2024.

We send our condolences to his three children, Christopher, Naomi and Nesta, his grandchildren, his brother Derek, his ex-wife and close friend Colette, other family, relatives, colleagues and friends.”

“I will not compromise my concept. If entertainment doesn't contain information, then I don't want to have anything to do with it.”

Neville Garrick

Respectfully,

Alexander Bonilla

@alexbonijah

@reggaecolombia

www.reggaecolombia.com