Luelan Bodden and his Blue Iguana Sculpture

By Christopher Tobutt

On Saturday 28 February, over 100 artists and crafts people demonstrated their recent work at the annual Art@Governors which is held on the lawn of Government House every year.

The show is co-hosted by H.E. the Governor Stuart Jack and Mrs Jack along with the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, and is sponsored by Walkers.

This year’s event invited guests to participate in the theme “Making a difference”.

The annual free show is unique in scope, bringing amateur and professional artists side by side, to not only show their work, but also, in many cases, demonstrate their technique, and also let members of the public take part too.

As well as painting and drawing visitors could see examples of photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and traditional crafts.

There were also many booths promoting local non-profit organisations and clubs.

Featured artist Luelan Bodden was present with his larger-than-life blue iguana sculpture, which appeared to be attracting much attention.

Christina Smith, Senior Administrative Assistant for the Freedom of Information Unit, was offering booklets which featured work from another of the show’s featured artists, Shane Arquart.

A third featured artist, Jonty Van Iddekinge, was busy working on his huge ‘Street Art’ style painting, a design covering several large sheets of plywood joined together.

Dora Williams was providing information about the Visual Arts Society (VAS), alongside several VAS members demonstrating their work. “They are doing a batik demonstration, ceramic, mosaic, and painting,” she said.

It was the first time artist Christina Washington had displayed anything at Art@Governors, she said, and her paintings, using strong and vivid colours were attracting attention from people passing by. One particularly notable work was of a sunrise; deep hues of red and yellow over a desert.

“When I do my art, I also listen to music, so whatever comes out of the song is what I paint, I don’t usually have an image in my head,” she said. So I was actually listening to some Sting- ‘Desert Rose,’ and that’s what came out,” she explained.

Two very talented young artists, Mark Ebanks and Mathew Ebanks, who both attend the Lighthouse School, had their artwork on display. Mark had drawn a series of portraits of other class members, while Mathew had a series of very well executed still life pictures.

By the beach adjacent to the Governor’s House, Kem Jackson was taking young people for rides aboard his blue catboat, the Captain D, which he was sailing all along the shore. Mr. Jackson, a member of the Cayman Islands Catboat Club, has a passion for restoring old catboats back to their former glory.

Back in another booth, Miriam Foster, Programme Officer of the Empowerment Community Development Agency said: “We are joined with the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and with the Human Rights Committee, and we are talking about rights for children, so kids here can make projects about their rights, such as their right to have a registered name, their right to be free from harm, their right to have good health care, their right to be loved, their right to go to school and learn; all the projects here have to do with that.”

Beside Ms Foster, Miss Cayman Islands Nicosia Lawson was encouraging some children to participate in the Clothesline Project, an internationally- based art project where victims of abuse are encouraged to express their feelings by painting designs on clothing which is then hung for all to see in a public space.

“The children today at the Crisis Centre Booth, they are participating in the Clothesline project, and they are doing paintings on why we shouldn’t hurt someone,” Ms Lawson explained.

Just nearby, Josie Solomon was showing some of her colourful patchwork quilts and rugs, made from scraps of cloth sewn together.

Artist Charles Long, a very familiar face at Art@Governors, had several new pieces of work. “I’m doing scenes from the Cayman Islands and also doing things out of my head,” he explained.

Next to him was a very different kind of artist. Cecilia Urdanata spoke about her unique sculpture in clay, iron, and feathers. “I’m just playing-playing with clay; just having fun, and playing around,” she said.