Study for Riding High
Inspired by the Cayman Islands’ maritime heritage, in this preparatory study for a larger canvas of the same subject Powery depicts a traditional Caymanian catboat manned by a father and son. The work is an ode to these iconic Caymanian sailing vessels and captures the sea’s movement and ever-changing colours, which are a constant source of inspiration to the artist. The revival of interest in the catboat in recent years can be seen in the founding of the Cayman Catboat Club in 1998, and the building of a new clubhouse on the George Town waterfront in 2014.
About the Artist
Miguel Powery
b. 1957
Born in Grand Cayman, Miguel Powery is a self-taught painter and sculptor who carves black coral and semi-precious stones. A founding member of the Native Sons artists collective, he was recognised with a lifetime achievement award from CNCF in 2003 and as a Cultural Heritage Pioneer at the 2014 National Heroes Day ceremony. His work can be found in the permanent collections of NGCI, the Cayman Islands National Museum and the Cayman Islands Government. His work has been featured at NGCI in a solo exhibition (1999) and in numerous group exhibitions, including Native Sons’ Fahive (2005), 21st Century Cayman (2010), Founded upon the Seas (2012), All Access (2015), Native Sons – Twenty Years On (2016), Saltwater in their Veins (2017), and Tropical Visions (2019).
