The work of self-taught artists, often referred to as ‘intuitives’, from the Cayman Islands will be in the spotlight for the National Museum’s latest exhibition, ‘Conversations with Popular Art,’ which opens on 23 May, as part of Cayman Art Week.
Alongside artists who draw on popular idioms and traditions in their practice, museum officials said, “The exhibition will also explore themes of cultural identity, community, and belonging, while also interrogating the lines between art and craft, and the role of tourism in shaping Caymanian visual culture.”
The Cayman Islands National Museum’s curatorial team, which consists of Megan Arch, Al Ebanks, Brian Watler Jr. and Veerle Poupeye, told the Cayman Compass, “With this exhibition, we hope to shed light on the creatives who have shaped the Caymanian art scene through their quiet, yet meaningful contributions.”
The team added, “In participation with the widespread popularity of Cayman Art Week, we hope the opening will attract a broad audience, both familiar and new, inviting them to explore and reflect on these lesser-known artistic voices and creative impulses.”
The exhibition features works in a variety of media, such as paintings on conventional and unconventional surfaces, drawings, carvings, thatch and other textile work, ceramics and mixed-media objects.
Art anchored in Caymanian heritage
The self-taught artists represented in the exhibition include celebrated names such as Gladwyn K. ‘Miss Lassie’ Bush and Harvey Ebanks, as well as less-known names like Edney McLean and anonymous artists whose names were not recorded. Their work is exhibited along with that of mainstream artists like Charles Long and Virginia Foster, whose work interprets popular forms.
Foster told the Compass, “I am delighted because the subjects of all of my creations have been anchored in Caymanian heritage, whether it was in ceramic art or whether it was in the silver thatch fashion collection.”
Foster, also known as ‘Auntie V’, is an accomplished ceramicist, designer and poet whose work over the years has garnered awards, including the 2014 Emerging Pioneer certificate at the National Heroes Day ceremony and the 2012 Gold Star for Creativity in the Arts from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.
At the heart of all that she does, Foster said, is Cayman.
The collection is a tribute to Cayman, Foster said, adding that few have had the opportunity to observe the tangible objects that embody Cayman.
“What we mostly look at is art … the fine arts on the wall, paintings, drawings, but this now is tangible, all relating to Caymanian heritage,” she said.
She added that she is humbled to be featured alongside artists such as Miss Lassie.
“I was one of the first docents from Miss Lassie. Her art, with many others, is also reflective of Caymanian heritage. I admire what they have done,” she said.
Most of the works of art in the exhibition are from the Cayman Islands National Museum collection, including the Ira Thompson Collection and the Virginia Foster Collection, supplemented by loans from the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.
The exhibition is open from 9am to 9pm, with free admission for the day on 23 May. Light refreshments will be served after 5pm. The exhibition will continue until the end of August.
