The Making of Kohler Paradise

When global design brand Kohler invited me to create an installation, I didn’t just want to make something beautiful. I wanted to create something that told a story.

Kohler Paradise became that story. It's a celebration of nature, womanhood and the vibrant spirit that defines Jamaica. Every element reflects a piece of home.

The Heart of the Design

At the centre, the mural shows the ackee fruit reimagined as a woman. Her seed forms a high bun, her flesh shapes her face, and her hands rise from the shell, carrying both beauty and strength. Behind her, a warm Jamaican landscape stretches under the sun, reminding us of our connection to nature and to each other.

 The phrase ‘Come All Creators’, drawn from Kohler’s ethos, links this story with theirs and honours creativity across cultures and generations.

Craftsmanship and Collaboration

Every part of this installation tells a piece of Jamaica. The round Kohler mirror catches the island’s light, bringing warmth and a moment to pause and reflect. The custom-built vanity, made by a local carpenter, shows off Jamaican craftsmanship and fits right against the Blue Mountain backdrop.

And the Kohler sink above it? It celebrates our national bird, the hummingbird, full of energy and delicate beauty in every detail.

The bathtub extends the landscape, embracing Jamaica’s flora and the hidden botanical treasures often found in the hills. Even the aspen green Kohler toilet was carefully chosen, not to draw attention but to balance the composition and allow the story to breathe. Together, these pieces create harmony between art and design. Each element holds both purpose and poetry.

Colour, Culture and Emotion

Colour was key in bringing this paradise to life. I picked shades that feel calm, full of energy, and full of light. Colours that remind me of home but still speak to anyone, anywhere. The palette wasn’t about clichés or stereotypes; it was about capturing Jamaica’s beauty in a way that invites people in. The aim was a tropical escape that feels real, Caribbean, and universal all at once.

Reflections on the Journey

Collaborating with Kohler was both an honour and a learning experience. It challenged me to translate the emotional language of fine art into a design that exists within daily life, functional yet profoundly expressive. It also offered an opportunity to showcase Jamaican artistry on an international platform, proving that our creative voices belong in the global conversation about design, culture, and innovation.

Ultimately, Kohler Paradise represents the intersection of imagination and identity. It is an homage to the land that shaped me and to the stories that continue to inspire my work. For me, art is not just something to be seen. It is something to be felt and lived with. In this collaboration, I hope viewers can feel a piece of Jamaica’s warmth, wonder, and resilience reflected at them, wherever they are.