Cayman Artists: A Rundown

Caymanian culture is rich and diverse, reflecting wide variety of nationalities. The many influences that have inspired the culture's development include it's colourful history, prominence of religion, visual beauty and natural resources, as well as the Caribbean sea. Keeping this in mind, many forms of visual art also play a cultural role. The art in Cayman is truly unique, often reflecting the simple island lifestyle, diversity of the citizenry and their relationship with/love of the ocean. Here's a rundown of the most famous Cayman artists and some of the works they're known for:

Charles Long

 One of the most well-known artists in the islands, Charles Long moved to Cayman with his family in 1969. Having previously lived in both West Africa and England, he attended the prestigious Farnham School of Art in Surrey, England. A founding member of the Visual Arts Society of the Cayman Islands, which continues to thrive today, Charles' primary medium is paint and he has amassed a significant body of work over the years. Many of his paintings reflect his love of Caribbean people and places, with sunshine and warmth being prominent themes. Among his most noted creations is the mural painted along an interior wall of Radio Cayman in 1974, which is pictured above. A retrospective of his work was held at the Cayman Islands National Museum in 2002, and he has also exhibited abroad, in places such as Santa Domingo. Today, Charles Long remains in Cayman, living and painting at his studio in Savannah.

Gladwyn K. “Lassie” Bush

Gladwyn K. “Lassie” Bush, a household name in the islands, was a fourth generation resident of Cayman. After having what she called a vision, she began painting at the age of 62, well beyond when most artists get their start. Affectionately deemed Miss Lassie, she made quite the mark in Cayman's visual art world, and her extensive body of work was turned into an 165-page book. The art book was published by the islands' Cultural Foundation, and is titled “My Markings – The Art of Gladwyn K. Bush.” Her influence, however, extended much wider than the islands; Miss Lassie's work was included in “Carib Art,” a contemporary Caribbean travelling exhibition, and is also featured in many books and private collections worldwide. She received a Cayman National Cultural Foundation's Heritage Award to commemorate her success before passing away in 2003, at 89.

Bendel Hydes

Born in the Cayman Islands, Bendel Hydes is one of the Caribbean's most well known artists. A co-founder of both the Cayman National Culture Foundation and the Cayman Islands National Gallery, Bendel studied in both England and Massachusetts before settling in New York. He has exhibited his work across the world, at Cayman's National Gallery and London's Commonwealth to name a couple places, and participated in the Caribbean-themed 30^th International Festival of Painting in France from 1994-1996. Primarily known for producing stunning oil paintings on canvas, Bendel's artwork has found its way into many prominent collections, including the Cayman Islands National Archive and National Gallery. He is also featured in art books discussing prominent Cayman artists, such as “Caribbean Art,” which was published in London by Thames and Hudson.

Janet Walker

A valued member of Cayman's artistic community, Janet Walker's beautiful watercolours have made their mark in the islands. Canadian-born, she has been producing these works since 1963, when she moved to the Cayman Islands with her husband. While Janet worked primarily with oil paint while studying at the Ontario College of Art, she was inspired by the landscapes of the Caribbean to begin working with watercolours. Many of her paintings were completed outdoors and reflect Cayman's seascapes and landscapes, as well as prominent buildings in the islands.

Davin Ebanks

Cayman's Davin Ebanks is a sculpture artist whose works commonly portray themes of water and the environment. A change of pace from the many painters in the islands, Davin's medium of choice is glass, which he complements on occasion with materials such as carved turtle skulls, wood and steel. A Master of Fine Art, Davin has taught in the glass department of Kent State University's School of Art, and his work has been widely exhibited both in the United States and in the Cayman Islands. In 2003, he won a Cayman Islands National Museum McCoy Prize for excellence in the arts, and several of his sculptures are permanent members of the islands' National Museum and National Gallery collections. The Cayman-born Davin also embraces painting and drafting, and he has been the Artist in Residence at both Florida's Jacksonville University and Indiana's Anderson University.

Joanne Sibley

Born in Canada, Joanne Sibley has been a popular artist in the Cayman Islands for over 30 years. A watercolour and oil painter, her talent was encouraged by her father, who was an artist with a penchant for landscapes himself. She received a degree in Interior Design in Canada and, following that, lived in Jamaica, where she worked as an architectural designer, frequently painting architectural scenes, landscapes and more as a hobby. A member of Cayman's Visual Arts Society, Joanne's artwork has been exhibited both across the islands and internationally, and she is one of only a handful of artists who represented Cayman in Curacao's “Carib Art” Exhibition. An International Artist Magazine finalist, her art generally reflects the land and seascapes of the islands, and she is also a skilled portrait artist. Joanne continues to paint full-time, and spends her time in the Cayman Islands and in Canada.

  

Mikael Seffer

Another valued contributor to the Cayman art scene, Mikael Seffer was born in the islands and is known for embracing a variety of unconventional techniques. Many of his works involve the application of various media, such as resin, acrylic and concrete, to uncommon materials such as canvas sail. The artist, who himself describes his work as “lyrical abstractions,” uses his deep love of the ocean and natural world as inspiration. Mikael runs White Dog Art Studio with his partner, artist Ren Seffer. Their works are displayed in galleries and corporate collections across the islands and the artists, together and separately, have participated in many shows and residencies, both in Cayman and internationally.

  

John Broad

Originally from England, John Broad is a popular island artist who captures the essence of Cayman life in his paintings. He began experimenting with watercolours while living in Vanuatu, and moved to the Cayman Islands to teach art at John Gray, a local high school. As John's talent grew, he began to use a wider variety of media and materials, such as chalk, oil pastel, sanguine and thatch. He studied in Edinburgh and London, and has exhibited his work across the globe. John is known for his talent for speed painting, which he uses to raise money for local charities, and for being the artist behind the 2004 “Wall of History” mural for the Georgetown Courthouse.