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The National Gallery hosts En Mas exhibition with work by Charles Campbell Photo by Kaitlyn Elphinstone
Wray Banker 3 A Lick, No Taws 1999
since the early 80s, Hydes’ work explores the maritime heritage of his Caymanian forefathers as well as contemporary issues such as environmental changes and displacement. Working in large format, his process combines layer upon layer of diluted pigment with a vocabulary of semi-figurative shapes and symbols which give his work a remarkable luminous quality.
Another renowned artist is the late intuitive painter Gladwyn
K. “Lassie” Bush who began painting at the age of 62, after what she describes as a visionary experience. Awaking from a half- sleep, during which the vision came to her, she began making her “markings” on the top and bottom half of her door. In the following years she created a prolific body of work which started on the walls, windows and furnishings of her home, and later on canvas.
In the mid-90s a generation of artists emerged who sought to articulate a uniquely Caymanian experience in their work, striving to express their location within contemporary century Caymanian society. One such group is the Native Sons. While stylistically individual, they mutually seek to express a home- grown discourse in their work that is inspired by their heritage and socio-cultural experiences. They include Wray Banker,
Al Ebanks, Miguel Powery, Nasaria Suckoo, Randy Chollette, Chris Christian, Nickola McCoy and Horacio Esteban.
Contemporary art forms such as installation, photography and assemblage have become as common as more traditional mediums of painting and sculpture. Wray Banker uses installation and often humorous graphic sketches to comment on traditional Caymanian heritage; David Bridgeman explores his position as a ‘new’ Caymanian through carefully worked collage and mixed media installations; Charles Long uses a vibrant, decorative style to depict scenes of daily life in the Cayman Islands; Kaitlyn Elphinstone’s work addresses her environmental concerns by meticulously ‘wrapping’ seed pods and other found natural objects; working with large format paper installations, Simon Tatum explores heritage and memory; while Davin Ebanks’ remarkable glass installations reference his maritime heritage in a wholly contemporary format, to give but a
few examples.
Work by these artists can be viewed at local commercial galleries in Seven Mile Beach area and others spread throughout the outer districts. These include The Gallery at the Ritz Carlton – Grand Cayman (now managed by Cayman Traditional Arts), Sandon Feat Gallery, Kennedy Gallery, Guy Harvey’s Gallery, Pure Art, and Awardart Gallery. Several artists also welcome
visitors to their studios by appointment. In addition, sixty years of Cayman Islands art history is on display permanently at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI), which has free admission six days per week. Visitors to NGCI can also enjoy contemporary art exhibitions in the Lower Gallery and pick up more information about the art scene. Visit www.nationalgallery.org.ky for more information.
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands Photo by Steven Clarke
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