Cayman Enterprise City Sponsors Bus Shelter Installation Featuring Artwork by Caymanian Digital Artist, Michael Mothen ‘BananaArtKid’

 Artist Michael Mothen reviews his work a Rotary Central Bus Shelter

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (12 July 2024) – Cayman Enterprise City (CEC) is thrilled to announce the installation of vibrant new artwork by Caymanian Digital Artist, Michael Mothen also known as “BananaArtKid”, at the Rotary Central bus shelter on Fairbanks Road. The project is part of a “Digital Artist in Residency” initiative, which supports Cayman’s digital artist community through innovative projects, programming, and creative workspaces.

The CEC Digital Artist in Residency initiative, in partnership with Enterprise Cayman and Notable Island, is designed to elevate the profiles of local digital artists by providing opportunities for exhibitions, professional development, and brand collaborations. The programme aims to foster a dynamic art scene while supporting artists who are creating new work using innovative technology. The Digital Artist in Residency programme will initiate the launch of CEC’s corporate art collection and the bus shelter takeover is the first of a series of projects that the artist Michael Mothen will be working to produce.

Artwork by Michael Mothen at Rotary Central Bus Shelter

“Rotary Central thanks Cayman Enterprise City for recognizing Cayman’s local artists and congratulates BananaArtKid for teaming up with CEC on this most innovative use for our bus shelter advertising panels. We are thrilled that one of our bus shelters will be used for the promotion of amazing local talent like BananaArtKid and will also help to beautify the surrounding neighborhood as well as continuing to provide much-needed shelter from the elements for local citizens,” said Michaël Darchis, Rotary Central Bus Shelters Sponsorship Coordinator. CEC’s financial donation towards the bus shelter will support Rotary Central’s ongoing efforts to improve local communities, including providing essential services and improving the quality of life for residents.

The bus shelter artwork features BananaArtKid’s illustrations of the first recorded catboat, built in 1904 in Cayman Brac by Daniel Jervis, sailing at night (featured on the inner panels) and at day coming back home to Cayman (featured on the outer panel). As noted by the artist, “These sail boats were used to fish and catch turtles by our forefathers in Cayman. The order of the day was survival, and the catboat was the tool and vessel for many. She was blue like the ocean”. Mothen’s vivid installations are filled with hidden gems that celebrate Caymanian life. Among these details are the yellow and white butterflies that flutter abundantly in the neighborhood during spring, a green sea turtle representing the island’s rich marine heritage, and a traditionally dressed Caymanian woman using a conch shell to signal the catboat’s homecoming. These elements combine to create a tapestry of local culture and beauty, inviting viewers to explore and appreciate the intricate details of Cayman’s environment and heritage.

Kaitlyn Elphinstone Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at CEC, artist Michael Mothen, and Charlie Kirkconnell Chief Executive Officer at CEC meet at Rotary Central Bus Shelter on Fairbanks Road 

Michael expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel like it’s telling a story by going from day to night or night to day with the catboat coming home. It’s an honor to share my vision with the community, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the CEC Digital Artist in Residency programme.”

CEC and Enterprise Cayman are committed to supporting local talent, creating innovative growth-oriented spaces, and fostering a dynamic community of innovators and entrepreneurs. CEC’s new Signal House facilities and 2474 Café features a series of work by Shane Aquârt, who signs his art “Dready”. The work is testament to CEC’s commitment to showcasing local digital artists and developing a vibrant community where innovation thrives.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to support Cayman’s talented digital artists, we’re excited to see what’s next for BananaArtKid and the Digital Artist in Residency programme. Michael’s engagement through the residency programme is already sparking dialogue and connecting notable creatives with fresh new opportunities,” said Kaitlyn Elphinstone, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at CEC.

Connect with BananaArtKid on Instagram to learn more about his work. For more information on the Rotary Central bus shelters visit www.busshelters.ky. For more information on the Digital Artist in Residency initiative contact [email protected].