On Wednesday 2 April, NGCI held an opening event for its latest exhibition From the Mind’s Eye in the Dart Auditorium Community Gallery, with many of the participating artists and their supporters in attendance.
Foregrounding a variety of works inspired by dreams, memories, mystical visions, and the suggestive realm of the subconscious, From the Mind’s Eye presents an inter-generational selection of artists who embrace spontaneity, emotion, and the use of unconventional techniques. The exhibition traces a thread from early pioneers such as Gladwyn K. “Miss Lassie” Bush and Bendel Hydes to the eclectic production of Cayman’s contemporary artists, revealing how each in turn have been variously inspired to create ‘from within’.
Though the artists explore an eclectic assortment of themes, the works are all linked through their collective meditation on the creative process itself. Utilising a variety of media – from painting, video, and mixed media collage to photography and ceramics – the participating artists imaginatively engage with a variety of subjects, including the natural environment, creative manifestations of spirituality from different cultural and temporal perspectives, as well as the history of Cayman’s maritime industry as an abiding source of inspiration. Notably, the artists reveal a prevailing preoccupation with the world of emotions and intuition, confidently embracing the obsessive urge express themselves, whilst also allowing their work to develop spontaneously through the process of making.
Says Curatorial Assistant and Exhibition Curator Daniela Granados:
“From the Mind’s Eye offers a small glimpse into the incredibly diverse practices and insightful perspectives of a group of very talented artists – many of whom are highly active members of our contemporary artistic community. Their works are supplemented with several evocative selections drawn from the National Collection, including original works from the Gladwyn K. Bush collection, which collectively allow visitors to experience the rich tapestry of creative expression that links these artistic precursors to the more recent contributions of those practising today.
This exhibition stands as another testament to the vibrant and thriving artistic community we have in our Islands. The National Gallery team could not be more excited and honoured to be providing a platform for stimulating projects such as this”.
The exhibition features eighteen emerging and established artists including James Adams, Jenna Arnold, Edrid Banks Jr., Babbity Barwick, Luelan Bodden, David Bridgeman, Gladwyn K. “Miss Lassie” Bush, Randy Chollette, Harvey Ebanks, Kaitlyn Elphinstone, Samuel Etoh, Bendel Hydes, Linda McCann, Miguel Powery, Phoenix Shadowcaster, Amrita Sinha, Nasaria Suckoo Chollette, and Avril Ward.
From the Mind’s Eye is on view until 6 June 2025. Admission to the gallery and the exhibition is free to all, and opening times are Monday to Saturday 10:00AM – 5:00PM. For more information about From the Mind’s Eye and related programming, including lectures, workshops, and tours, please visit our What’s On page, or email education@nationalgallery.org.ky