Our Way 1994-1999
Heavily influenced by Pop Art, Wray Banker appropriates images from consumerism and popular graphics to address highly contested notions of globalisation, rights of citizenship, the erosion of tradition, and the shifting limits of an evolving society. Our Way 1994-1999 (2015) is a commercial “ready-made” which reflects on the power of branding and the homogenisation of Caribbean culture. The world-famous fast food signage has been altered by the artist to invite us to contemplate the impact of globalisation and the loss of culinary traditions, amongst others in the Cayman Islands.
About the Artist
Wray Banker
b. 1968
Born in West Bay, Grand Cayman, Wray Banker studied graphic design in Houston and is a founding member of the Native Sons artist collective. Career highlights include Serious bout Makin’ Fun (NGCI, 2001); designing pins for the Cayman Islands 1996 Olympic Committee, and the 2003 Pan Am Games (both voted Best of Countries). Notable exhibitions include Art Basel Miami (2003); the Santo Domingo Biennale (2003); the Griffin Gallery, Chicago (2006); and Carifesta X, Guyana (2008). Banker has received numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement in Arts award from the Cayman Islands Government (2003), The McCoy Prize’s Second Commendation in Photography (2005), People’s Choice for Fine Art (2006), CNCF’s Artistic Achievement Award (2007), and an Emerging Pioneer recognition at Cayman Islands’ National Heroes Day (2014). Banker was one of four Caymanian artists to be included in the recently released A-Z of Caribbean Art (Robert & Christopher Publishers: 2019), a landmark survey of contemporary art from the Caribbean region and its diaspora. His work has featured in numerous exhibitions at NGCI, including the solo show Serious ‘Bout Makin’ Fun (2001), Art of Assemblage (2013), Metamorphoses (2014), tIDal Shift: Explorations of Identity in Contemporary Caymanian Art (2015), Speak to Me (2016), Mediating Self (2017), and Revive: Contemporary Caymanian Craft (2017).
