Aliane Grant and Raymond Watson look at a copy of Susan Alexander's book on paintings and sculpture, titled 'Jamaican Journey', held at the Terra Nova All-Suite hotel on November 16. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/freelance photographer

It was one of the hottest events of all time here on the social calendar last Sunday.

We are talking a gathering of high-society, the intelligentsia, the artistic, the creative, the ultra-talented, the fabulous and the chic, and it made for one very charming meld.

This was just as it should be as, after all, the occasion was the much-anticipated launch of Jamaican Journey, the tome of and by the celebrated and esteemed painter and sculptor, Susan Alexander, documenting her journey through the years and recorded and documented and represented in her paintings and sculptures, now catalogued in what proved a simply marvellous coffee table masterpiece.

We are talking over five decades of work here, an artist at work and play, chronicling the ever-changing Jamaican landscape - socially, intellectually, creatively and physically. And she did so in an effortless mode, that not only captures the mood of the evolutionary process but manages in the medium, of this her latest venture, to focus the mind to the rich wonders, beauty and talent that is indeed her continuing journey.

Beauty of the book

Susan Alexander (right) has a warm greeting for Lady Hall at the launch of her book.

And perhaps the beauty of Jamaican Journey is not the assemblage of the fabulous work that she has bequeathed to her adopted homeland, but in chronicling her remarkable journey, she brings home the point that her journey, while distinct to her, is essentially one shared by us all in varying degrees.

But perhaps her most arresting 'moment' is her documentation of the making of our national motto, 'Out of Many, One People', in her masterpiece The Arrivals - which records the arrival of the various ethnic and religious groups that now make up the face of Jamaica.

To be sure, there are the traditional scenes of market day and various other studies that capture the vagaries that give Jamaicans their unique character and flavour. And when one views her studies of the undulating cultural forces and processes, weaving their way into historical perspective and our individual consciousness, then one is clearly visited with and impacted by the profundity of what Susan Alexander has achieved in her work over the years.

Eloquent address

The Terra Nova All-Suite hotel was the venue for the launch and was the only place to be! The fab Lady Hall, in her role as guest speaker, was eloquent in her address as she extolled the artistic virtues and prowess of Alexander, and as she captivated her audience with factual prose and insights. Flautist Rosina Moder Ashbourne added to the beauty of the occasion. With flowing cocktails and a buffet of simply delicious finger foods on hand to whet the taste buds, we are talking one regal affair.

Among the notables out were: son of the author, Phillip Alexander and daughter Wendy Khan and her daughters Rebecca and Christy Khan; family friends Anthony and Angelie Harris and their fabulous daughter Christelle Harris, in from Hollywood; Glynne Manley and daughter, the lovely Janine Bunting; Dr Peter Phillips and wife Sandra Minott Phillips; David Coore; Professor Rex Nettleford; Ambassador Dr Matthew Beaubrun; Anglican Bishop of Kingston Rev Father Robert Thompson and wife Charmaine Thompson; the esteemed Maurice and Tiny Stoppi; Douglas and Melanie Graham; Ruby Martin; Professor Edward and Sheila Baugh.

Also out were: Professor Mervin and Helen Morris; Marjorie Cobbham; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley and wife Jo Ann Kingsley; Brazilian Ambassador Alexandre Gueiros and wife Gladys Gueiros; wife of the head of the European Union delegation, the lovely Fiela Mazzocchi-Alemanni; companion of the British High Commissioner Dr Barbara Munske; Robert MacMillan; his sibling, the celebrated artist, Judy-Ann MacMillan; Earl Levy; Paddy Masterton; the very charming Jennifer Lim; Ron and Barbara Sasso; Carl and Mary-Ann Lazarus; Jill Roberts; Marilyn Delevante; Peter and Fay Bangerter; Thalia Lyn; Ainsley and Marjorie Henriques; Joy Mahfood; Hugh Croskery and wife Margaret, plus her sisters Betty-Jo Desnoes and Jeanne Watson.

Other fabulous people out

We saw: Dr Charles and Corinna Meeks; Rev Easton Lee; Lois Sherwood; Sonia Scott and daughter Sharon Lake; Drs Dhiru and Laura Tanna; Maria Pinchin; Patrick and Marguerite Lynch; Paul and Becky Stockhausen; George Faria; Helen Myers; Sharleen Sleem; Mario and Fiona Machado; Leslie Chang; Lisa Marzouca; Gordon Robinson; Gilou Bauer; Dr Al and Betty Cotterell; Vivian Crawford; the charming Diane Watson; Dr Jonathan Greenland; Mr and Mrs Robert Harris; Norma Rhoden and her son, celebrated concert pianist Orrett Rhoden; Maria LaYacona; Dr Carol Ball; Kay Sullivan; Norma Harrack; celebrated National Dance Theatre Company former principal dancers Bert Rose and Barry Moncrieffe, their former colleagues, the lovely Barbara Requa and Alaine Grant and siblings Micky and Monica McGowan.

Also out were siblings David and Mary Johns; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Dr Patrick Bhoorasingh; Peju Wilson; the lovely Betty Delfosse-Ingleton; the charming Beverley East; Dr Tammi Haynes; the charming Shirley Henry; Joy McHugh; sisters Ella Hall Oakley and Sonia Folkes; Cedric McDonald; Pamela Lawson; the lovely Cindy Lightbourne; plus countless others.