Flower Tree
This vibrant rendering of a Poinciana tree in front of a traditional stone wall is a strong example of Bank’s intuitive practice. Although he contracted polio and became deaf at the age of seven, Banks developed a love of music and singing that later evolved toward the visual arts, particularly photography and painting. He was especially concerned with the design elements of his work, with every flower having its own space on the canvas. Dated 1971, Flower Tree is one of the earliest works in the National Gallery’s collection.
About the Artist
Edrid Banks Jr
1923–1991
Edrid Banks Jr, a prolific intuitive artist, was struck with polio and left deaf at the age of seven. Despite (or because of) this early setback, the artist developed a love of music and singing that later evolved toward the visual arts, particularly photography and painting. Banks’ artwork is in private collections and the public collections of NGCI and the Cayman Islands National Museum. NGCI exhibitions include All Access (2015) and Tropical Visions (2019).