Unstoppable Step
This work was the central piece in Powery’s recent solo exhibition at the National Gallery. Its title pays homage to the constancy and wisdom of the tortoise or turtle, a national symbol of our Islands and centrepiece of our coat of arms, and acknowledges the artist’s debt of gratitude to successive generations of Caymanian artists who have influenced his practice. With a model-sized replica of Gladwyn K. “Miss Lassie” Bush’s South Sound cottage mounted atop its shell, Unstoppable Step salutes Miss Lassie, Bendel Hydes, and the rich history of artistic expression in Cayman, a legacy which Powery now continues.
About the Artist
Yonier Powery
Yonier Powery Serrano was born on the Isle of Youth, Cuba. Commencing his artistic studies in 1999, he joined the workshop of renowned artist Agustin Villafaña before moving to Wilfredo Lam’s Professional Academy of Visual Arts in the Isle of Youth. There he learned to master a wide range of techniques, from drawing and painting to ceramics and sculpture. A strong theme in the artist’s contemporary style is bridging fantasy and reality, often taking influence from the sea. Moving to Grand Cayman in 2010, Powery has since featured in numerous exhibitions, including solo shows at AwardArt gallery in 2018 and 2020, as well as in the NGCI exhibitions Cross Currents – 1st Cayman Islands Biennial (2019), and Reimagined Futures – 2nd Cayman Islands Biennial (2021).
