10 September – 5 November 2015 | Curated by Natalie Urquhart

Up until a few decades ago the Cayman Islands existed as a hard-working, conservative frontier society, carving out an existence from seafaring, turtling and other maritime activities. Today, this way of life has changed beyond recognition, driven initially by the growing affluence generated during the Southwell Years, and later the growth of the financial and tourism industries; a shift that has had enormous repercussions on our islands’ wider culture, its expressions and material testimony.

Each of the artists featured in this exhibition were invited to consider the impact that this rapid socio-cultural transformation has had on their sense of self, and on the wider concepts of national identity. Some create from a deeply introspective viewpoint via explorations of memory, family, language and personal mythologies, while others address the wider, often highly contested, notions of immigration, political status, ethnicity and race, rights of citizenship, development, and the erosion of tradition. Collectively these works offer a critical space through which to begin articulating what it truly means to be “of” these islands in the 21st century.

The exhibition features large-scale installations, sculpture, painting, new media and multi-disciplinary work, digital art, video and large- format photographs, in addition to an off-site public art project. Participating artists include: Shane Aquart, Matt Brown, Heidi Bassett Blair, Wray Banker, David Bridgeman, Randy Chollette, Manuela Dack, Aston Ebanks, Davin Ebanks, Kerwin Ebanks, Meegan Ebanks, Sean Ebanks, Kaitlyn Elphinstone, Frank E. Flowers, Jamie Hahn, Ben Hudson, Bendel Hydes, Greg Lipton, Chris Mann, Elena McDonough, Pippa Ridley, Judy Singh, Gordon Solomon, Nasaria Suckoo Chollette, Simon Tatum and Elina Zavala.
Programme of Events
10 September – 5 November 2015

Family Day
Event, Saturday, 3 October 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Join us for free art activities based on the exhibition tIDal shift – Explorations of Identity in Contemporary Caymanian Art. 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. Beverages, sandwiches and snacks will be available for purchase in the Art Café. For additional details email [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111.

Art 21
Screenings and Discussions, Dates to be announced. Visit www.nationalgallery.org.ky for details.
tIDal shift participating artist David Bridgeman will host a series of screenings exploring the contemporary art world. Followed by group discussions and refreshments. Admission is free and refreshments will be available for purchase in the Art Café. For a full list of dates and times email [email protected], call (345) 945 8111 or visit www.nationalgallery.org.ky.

Lunchtime Lecture with the Exhibition Curator – Natalie Urquhart
Event, Thursday, 24 September 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
This event includes a behind-the-scenes tour during which Natalie Urquhart will discuss how the exhibition tIDal shift was developed and explain the themes and the stories behind the diverse body of work. 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 the National Gallery Gift Shop.

Garden Picnic
Lunch, Thursday 24 September 12:00 PM onward
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 5:00 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 tIDal shift – Explorations of Identity in Contemporary Cayman. For menu details email [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111. Reservations are recommended for groups of four or more.

Lecture by Natalie Urquhart – Contemporary Art 101
Special Lecture, Thursday, 1 October 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
NGCI Curator and Director Natalie Urquhart will define contemporary art and explain how it has developed from postmodern art and differs from modern art. The discussion will also touch on the contemporary art scene in the Cayman Islands and in the wider Caribbean region. Admission to the lecture is free and refreshments will be available for purchase in the NGCI Art Café.

Panel Discussion – Identity and History: Personal and Social Narratives
Discussion, Wednesday 28 October 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion about contemporary art practice in the Cayman Islands. The panel will consist of contemporary artists from the Cayman Islands. Admission to the panel discussion is free and refreshments will be available for purchase in the NGCI Art Café.

Late Night at the Gallery
Event, Friday, 16 October 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The National Gallery will be open to the public for a late night viewing of tIDal Shift. Join us for the premiere of performance artist Elina Zavala work Salty Kisses in which she uses sound, digital images and movement to prompt a shared a sense of heritage and commonality amongst her audience. The performance will be followed by live music and refreshments will be served. Donations welcome.

Free Youth Tours for All Ages
Guided Tour by Appointment, 14 September 2015 until 3 November 2015
Free guided tours of the temporary exhibition tIDal shift – explorations of identity in contemporary Caymanian art – 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].

Gallery Shop

Our Gallery Shop works with NGCI curators and artists to find the very best products to support our exhibition schedule. Gorgeous coffee table books on contemporary art will be available for purchase as well as other specialty books and gift items. The National Gallery Gift Shop is open during regular gallery hours and NGCI members receive a 10% discount.

NEW MENU! NGCI Art Café

The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is thrilled to launch a band new Art Café menu which now offers a wide variety of beverages, snacks for kids and adults as well as fresh lunch items and pastries. Kindly supported by Kirk Market, the Art Café is an excellent place to spend your morning coffee break, lunch hour or have your next business meeting. The Art Café is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and overlooks the beautiful Deutsche Bank Sculpture Gardens. Come out and enjoy new products, new hours and a brand new approach to enhancing your visit at the National Gallery. Follow our website at www.nationalgallery.org.ky to stay updated on weekly lunch menus and special events.

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.

IMAGE: ieyenews