The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) and Ogier joined forces once again this year to host the annual Ogier Art Award. Now in its third year, the competition was created as part of the Ogier Corporate Giving Philosophy to support new currents in the local art scene and to provide a platform for both established and emerging local artists.

This year over 75 artists submitted work in a wide variety of mediums ranging from acrylic, oil, pencil and ink through to multi-media and sculpture. The result was a highly diverse collection reflecting the variety of artwork currently being created in the Cayman Islands.

The judges tasked with the difficult job of selecting the four 2012 Ogier Art Award winners consisted of three representatives from the art community – Wray Banker, Art Pasquali and Eme Paschalides along with three members of Ogier Arts and Culture Committee – Jody Powery-Gilbert, Joyce Judge and Jonathan Bernstein.  After four hours of discussion prizes were awarded as follows:

First Prize: Rasitha Sanjeewa for his mixed media artwork entitled ‘Give Up One’

Second Prize: Gordon Solomon for his painting ‘Back to my Roots’

Honourable Mention: Cara Stock for her ‘Fish Scales’ series

Emerging Artist Prize: Allison Hill for her painting ‘When I am not Around’

Honourable Mention: Chelsea Walton for her painting ‘Red Shank’

Photography Prize: Raymond Michael Bush for his ‘Wrong Turn’ series

Honourable Mention: Svitlana Gilyun for her triptych ‘Whispering palms’

“We are delighted by the number of local artists who submitted pieces this year and were impressed by the wide-ranging collection. The significant

increase of artworks submitted each year demonstrates how much the event has become established in  Cayman’s cultural calendar,”  said Ogier Managing Partner, Nick Rogers. “On behalf of Ogier and our Arts and Cultural Committee, I would like to congratulate the Award winners and to acknowledge the quality and artistic merit in each and every work.  It is a true reflection of the diverse and talented artistic spirit that resides in the Cayman Islands.”

“It has been very exciting to see the expanded scope of works on display this year and to see artists experimenting with new materials and subject matter. It bodes well for the future of our art scene,” said National Gallery Director Natalie Urquhart. “We’re delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Ogier on this event for a third year. The National Gallery is committed to providing support and exposure for the local art community and it is through partnerships with organisations like Ogier that we hope to continue creating such opportunities for all island-based artists.”