Plastic in Paradise – Scenes of Real Life Fictions by Heidi Bassett Blair
24 April – 3 July 2015
Curated by Heidi Bassett Blair & Natalie Urquhart
Photography by Heidi Bassett Blair
The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) is taking a closer look at fine art photography through the new exhibition Plastic in Paradise– Scenes of Real Life Fictions by Heidi Bassett Blair. The body of work is the artist’s response to her moments as a youth, and moments as an adult. The large format images are creations of what has either happened, or the representation of a previous experience. Some of the scenes are completely candid. Others are staged based on a moment that has passed, or the creation of a scene based on the characteristics of the subjects she is photographing, places she has travelled to, or references to art history and popular culture.
Ms Blair carefully weaves together truth and fiction to create a narrative of both a real and imagined world. Helium balloons compete with coconut palms; a beautiful landscape and a plastic blow up pool toy intersect nature with the factory-made. Through these personal stories she highlights the duality of the plastic and the paradise, and by doing so draws our attention to the complex relationship between the two.

NGCI Director and co-curator of the exhibition, Natalie Urquhart said, “We are always exploring ways to present new mediums at the National Gallery, and while we have featured several photography exhibitions, most have highlighted the strong documentary photography practice that we have in Cayman. Heidi’s work is a departure from this genre.” The exhibition is accompanied by twelve art happenings including special lectures, activities for families and photography workshops. There will also be photography books for sale in the NGCI Gift Shop. Ms Urquhart adds, “With a rich programme of events we hope to engage and inspire.”

About the Artist
Heidi was born in Toronto, Canada 1969 and attended McGill University (BA) and New York University (MA). During this era, her most influential experiences included studying abroad in Paris at Parsons School of Design, spending countless hours in the darkroom, working as a teaching assistant for video-digital artist Peter Campus, running Varsity cross country in Paris and New York, and photographing with Yosef Karsh in Ottawa.
Since then, her work has been exhibited in galleries across the United States and Canada. She has won several prestigious awards including the Jack Goodman Award for Art and Technology and American Photo’s “Portraits and People” contest. Her work appears in many private, corporate and museum collections, and she is represented through the Benrubi Gallery, New York City.
Art and life are seamless for Bassett Blair. Her most cherished accomplishment is bonding with her family and working consciously every day at being the change she wants to see in the world.
Currently, Bassett Blair and her family are residing in The Cayman Islands and continuing to travel extensively. Their most recent stop was Bali, Indonesia where all three of her children attended the Green School.
For a complete programme of events and details on the exhibition Plastic in Paradise – Scenes of Real Life Fictions by Heidi Bassett Blair email [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111.

Programme of Events

A members’ preview evening for National Gallery members and guests will be held on Thursday, 23 April 2015 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Lecture by Heidi Bassett Blair – Scenes of Real Life Fictions
Special Lecture, Saturday 25 April 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
International artist Heidi Bassett Blair will discuss her journey as a photographer and the story behind her series Plastic in Paradise. Admission is CI$5 for non-members and free for all NGCI members. Refreshments will be served.

Family Day – The Art of Photography
Event, Saturday 9 May 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Join us for free drop-in art activities based on the exhibition Plastic in Paradise by Heidi Bassett Blair. Family activity sheets and art materials will be available for children of all ages in the National Gallery breezeway, and self-guided tour packs can be collected in the Gallery for families to use as they explore the temporary exhibition. Free coffee and tea will also be available in the Art Café. Donations welcome. For additional details email [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111.

Lecture by Jaime Hahn – Photography – History, Process: the “How” & “Why” Special Lecture, Thursday, 14 May 6:00 PM to 7:30,PM
Jamie Hahn, an interdisciplinary artist working in video, artist books and prints, lectured in Photography and Digital Media Arts at Eastern Washington University before relocating to Cayman in 2015. Here she traces the development of photography and explores its nuances.

Adult Workshop – Photography 101 | Instructor: Cathy Church
Art Class Saturday, 23 May 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Step inside the NGCI Education Centre for a hands-on photography workshop where you can use your own digital camera and learn how to take spectacular photographs. This course is designed for those who feel they are ready to progress to a more advanced level in photography. Cathy will make it fun and easy to understand, while sharing world-class ideas. If you are not familiar with what an f/stop is, you are invited to email Cathy in advance at [email protected] to request a two page handout explaining exposure controls so that you will be up to speed on the basics and ready to move forward.
Upon registration, if you wish, you may submit up to three photographs for an interactive, anonymous critique. Students are encouraged to bring along their own cameras and an inanimate object to photograph (e.g. a stuffed animal, a large piece of costume jewelry, a toy, and flowers (artificial or real). The workshop is $60 with NGCI membership and $66 for non-members. To register and for details email [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111.

Panel Discussion – Photography: Subject vs Content; Composition
Discussion, Thursday, 28 May 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about the art of contemporary photography and “subject vs content”. The panel will by chaired by artist and lecturer Jaime Hahn and feature guest photographers working in a variety of film media. Admission is CI$5 for non-members and free for all NGCI members. Refreshments will be served.

Film Launch of Caymanian Art: A New Frontier by Caymanian Filmmaker Ernest Jacob Olde VI
Documentary, Friday, 12 June 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
A new documentary film which examines the NGCI Permanent Collection and its artists will be screened in the National Gallery Dart Auditorium 12 June 2015. Join us for a special viewing, a discussion after the film and to celebrate the launch into the evening. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

Lunchtime Lecture with the Director – Natalie Urquhart
Event, Wednesday, 17 June 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
This event includes a behind-the-scenes tour during which Natalie Urquhart will discuss how the exhibition Plastic in Paradise was developed, and the themes and the stories behind the stunning images. The lunchtime tour is free of charge. Donations are welcome. Lunch and other refreshments will be available for purchase in the NGCI Art Café and unique gifts will be on sale in National Gallery Gift Shop.

Garden Picnic
Lunch, Wednesday, 17 June 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Join us for our “pop-up” Garden Picnic brought to you by the National Gallery Art Café. A delicious set menu including soup and sandwiches will be served in the National Gallery gardens between 12 noon and 2:30 PM. Lunch packs will also be available for those on the go, and don’t forget to stop by the exhibition halls to view the Permanent Collection and the temporary exhibition Plastic in Paradise. For menu details email [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111. Reservations are recommended for groups of four or more.

CayFilm Festival at the National Gallery
International Film Festival, Friday and Saturday, 19-20 June
CayFilm is a new annual multi-day spectacular event designed to create interest and excitement about the Cayman Islands as a world-class filming destination. Film screenings, special lectures, workshops and family activities will be held at the National Gallery Friday and Saturday during the day and the Underwater Film Festival and party will be held Friday evening. For details visit www.cayfilm.com.

Late Night at the Gallery
Event, Friday, 19 June 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The National Gallery will be open to the public for a late night viewing of Plastic in Paradise by Heidi Bassett Blair. Admission to the event is free and refreshments will be served. Donations welcome.

Free Youth Tours for All Ages
Guided Tour by Appointment, 23 April 2015 until 3 July 2015
Free guided tours of the temporary exhibition Plastic in Paradise by Heidi Bassett Blair are available for students of all ages at The National Gallery. Students will discuss the exhibition and get hands-on with interactive activity sheets. Topics covered include art, social studies, narratives, literacy and numeracy. For information or to book a tour contact NGCI at 945-8111 or [email protected].

Shop

Our Gift Shop works with NGCI curators and artists to find the very best products to support our exhibition schedule. Gorgeous coffee table books titled Plastic in Paradise by Heidi Bassett Blair will be available for purchase as well as other specialty books on photography. The National Gallery Gift Shop is open during regular gallery hours and NGCI members receive a 10% discount.

Contact Us

For more information regarding any of the events listed above and to RSVP please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or by calling (345) 945 8111.