Rain Gauge
Explorations of cultural identity are central to Bridgeman’s work, as are themes of nationality and transformation, which are evident in this painting. Here the artist has combined images drawn from his present reality and those from vivid childhood memories. He makes connections with various places he has lived, which have influenced his identity: the abandoned rain gauge and the barren landscape evoke Grand Cayman’s ironshore, whilst the bluebells represent England.
About the Artist
David Bridgeman
b. 1959
Born in Oxford, Bridgeman acquired a BEd (Hons) at Worcester College of Higher Education and moved to the Cayman Islands in 1987 to teach. As a professional artist, he has received important commissions from the Cayman Islands Government and from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. His work is in private collections and the public collections of CNCF, CINM, NGCI as well as at the Governor’s Residence. He is a founding member of the Cayman art collective C4. NGCI exhibitions include: Anchored in Landscapes (2005) and Arreckly: Towards a Cultural Identity (2007), Art of Assemblage (2013), The Road Not Taken (solo show, 2014), Metamorphoses (2014), tIDal Shift: Explorations of Identity in Contemporary Caymanian Art (2015), All Access (2015), Upon the Seas (2017), Mediating Self (2017), Cross Currents – 1st Cayman Islands Biennial (2019), and Tropical Visions (2019).
