Name: Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds
Born: February 10, 1911
Died: February 24, 1989
Industry: Arts (visual); Religion

Mallica Reynolds was born on February 10, 1911 in the district of Byndloss, St. Catherine. His career as an artist began in the 1930s. ‘Kapo’ as he was more popularly called was a self-taught artist. He was more popularly known for his painting but he was also a sculptor. Kapo along with the late Sidney McLaren and Brother Everald Brown, led the group of artists referred to as the ‘Intuitives’. This group of artists tried to capture on canvas or in wood, the spirit or living forces behind objects and situations.

Kapo’s works have been exhibited widely both at home and abroad. He has held exhibitions in New York in 1953, 1969 and 1982; Los Angeles 1964 and 1968; and in Washington D.C. in 1972. His works form a part of the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Jamaica.

In 1981, Kapo’s painting “Shining Spring” was chosen as a wedding gift to Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer from the Government and people of Jamaica. “Shining Spring” was selected by the Institute of Jamaica, along with the Office of the Prime Minister because it was felt to be representative of true Jamaican art. Besides being an artist, Kapo was a deeply religious man. He was an ordained Bishop of a revivalist sect. He was patriarch and founder of the St. Michael’s Revival Tabernacle. Some of his earlier works carry religious themes. He was the recipient of many awards in Jamaica. These are as follows:

• 1966 – Gold Medal from Emperor Haile Selassie during his visit to Jamaica that year;
• 1969 – Silver Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica
• 1977 – Awarded the Order of Distinction by the Government of Jamaica
• 1985 – The Norman Manley Award for Excellence in the Fine Arts
• 1985 – Gold Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica

Kapo was married twice.  He died on February 24, 1989 leaving widow Sheila and children.

Related Documents

• Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds, O.D. – 1911 – 1989.
• “Kapo” now bishop… Daily Gleaner, March 22, 1976.
• Farquharson Institute lauds Kapo Benefit Sale. The Daily Gleaner, November 6, 1980.
• The Rainbow Flock. Kapo’s work a hit in N.Y. The Daily Gleaner, June 23, 1982.
• Kapo ordained church patriarch. The Daily Gleaner, August 25, 1976.
• Kapo’s right leg amputated… The Star, January 22, 1980
• ‘God gave me power to heal’. By Jean Small. The Jamaica Daily News, May 23, 1976.
• Sandra and Baby”. By Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds. c1950.
• Kapo gets N. W. Manley Award. Pocomania – A Jamaican Artist’s Wild Religion. 1968.
• The works of ‘Kapo’. The Daily Gleaner, August 13, 1987, p. 12.
• Order of Distinction – Malice Reynolds “Kapo”.
• Mallica Reynolds “Kapo” O.D. 25th Anniversary Publication Norman Manley Award Foundation (1994).
• Kapo: Roberta ‘is killing me softly’. The Jamaica Daily News, January 3, 1974.
• Kapo’s art – a natural extension of his personality. By Ignacy Eker. The Daily Gleaner, September 21, 1975.
• Tributes to ‘Kapo’ Reynolds. The Star, March 2, 1989.
• Official Funeral Service for the late “Kapo”. Kapo laid to rest. Jamaica Record, March 13, 1989, p. 1A.
• “The Killer” 1974. “The Tempter” 1970. Musgrave Gold Medalist: Bishop Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds. The Star, September 9, 1986.
• Kapo, Brown swap soon. May 12, 1982.
• Kapo – The colourful artist who had visions. By Claudine Boothe.
• Official funeral for Kapo Sunday. Jamaica Record, March 7, 1989.
• Bishop Mallica “Kapo” Reynolds. National Library of Jamaica.
• Official Funeral Service for the late “Kapo”. March 12, 1989.