Untitled (Land Crab)
The Cayman Islands plays host to four species of terrestrial crabs – the hermit crab and the white, black and red land crabs. Depicted in this preparatory study is the largest species, the white land crab. It is typically found near mangrove swamps, tall grass and sandy areas within close proximity to water. Routine burrowers, these crabs aid in nutrient recycling by bringing leaf debris into deeper layers of nutrient-poor sandy soils, which in turn allows plants to grow and maintains healthy shoreline ecosystems.
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).
