Peaceful Palms
Peaceful Palms was first shown in NGCI’s Watermarks (2005) exhibition, when it was sponsored by Appleby for acquisition into the National Collection. This closely cropped detail of the fronds of a coconut palm illustrates the artist’s interest in naturalistic detail, with local flora and lush tropical vegetation being particularly popular subjects for the artist. The realistic treatment of the subject and vibrant colour palette are also characteristic of Bending’s work, which here assumes the quality of a formal study. This piece recently featured in the exhibition Tropical Visions at NGCI in 2019.
About the Artist
April Bending
b. 1948
Canadian artist Bending resided in the Cayman Islands for ten years, during which time she was an active member of the local arts scene and worked as an instructor for NGCI’s Inside Art programme at H.E Northward and H.E Fairbanks. She began painting with watercolour in Victoria, British Columbia, being inspired by the Canadian climate, and was subsequently drawn to the vibrancy and colours of the Caymanian landscape. Her work featured in the NGCI exhibitions All Access (2015) and Tropical Visions (2019).
