John Broad: An artist of islands and colours

The artist next to his work called ‘Fisherman Casting’	John Broad next to his Wall of History  creation

by Brian Buckley

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

West Bay artist John Broad grew up in England, lived in Vanuatu, and has now settled in Grand Cayman. Throughout his journey he has brought an appreciation of art to both high school students and connoisseurs of the art scene.

Having taught art at John Gray High School for fourteen years, Mr Broad has taken inspiration from many of the young adults he has encountered through the years. He believes teaching and his painting go hand-in-hand. “It is really inspiring when a student takes an idea, works at it, and develops it. Certain students have that spark and flair of imagination. That makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

One student he remembers fondly is Schwannah McCarthy, daughter of Finance Secretary Hon George McCarthy. “She had a particular flair for creativity and the artistic imagination. A student like that you remember,” he said.

Through the years, having given much of his talents to John Gray students, Mr Broad has also been able to both create and accomplish in the Cayman art world.

He has had three of his own shows here, including a one-man show at the National Gallery in 1998. Many know him best as the creator of the tiled Wall of History, which runs along Grand Court on Panton Road.

Reviewing his career, Mr Broad shared: “I did a lot of drawing when I was younger. Then I went to Vanuatu, where I met another artist who stirred me up. I started doing watercolors of local ladies fishing for shellfish along the shore. They would wear these old style smocks and walk along the reefs. There was a lot of interesting imagery.”

When seeking inspiration in the Cayman Islands, Mr Broad feels there are not immediately accessible images here, but they are here none-the-less. “While Vanuatu had these mountains and rivers, here in Grand Cayman I find myself looking behind things and into corners. It’s in those places where I seem to develop my own style,” he said.

Walking into his West Bay studio, one is immediately struck by his latest iridescent focus on the folks who line the shores of Cayman. The work currently on his easel, Two Fishermen, is a dazzling array of colors. The reflections on the water’s surface shine in aqueous, brilliant waves while the two fishermen on an iron shore appear as fluid and as integral to the seascape as the ocean and its shore.

How he arrived at this latest approach to his craft resulted, unwittingly, from his work on the tiles for the Wall of History. “That process loosened up my style. It was such a large piece of work that I had to develop a new technique,” he said. “I now use different ways of putting the colors on the canvas. I don’t use the brush so much after the wall. Now I use the paint bottles and rollers on the canvas, like I did on the tiles,” he said.

Part of the new effect comes from Mr Broad utilizing digital photography. “If I can enhance a digital photo on the computer I can get an interesting effect. I can develop that blurry effect from the pixels. I’m not interested in the precise photo. Then I head to the canvas,” he added.

The Two Fishermen epitomizes all the small steps the artist has taken in his career. He personally feels that his present style is the culmination of years and years of effort. More than that, the work has a spiritual depth. “It is interesting watching guys here fish. They seem to form a link between earth and water. The iron shore acts as a link as well,” he said.

Starting 4 August museum-goers can see a self-interpreted self-portrait by Mr Broad at the National Gallery’s latest show. His portrait includes references to four famous artists. Visitors at the opening will be asked to guess those references and the person with the best response may have their portrait painted.

Those wishing to contact the artist can call 945-6277 or email him at artcayman@yahoo.com

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