‘Unstoppable Steps’ is a window into mystical, magical world of Yonier Powery
Cayman Compass
Yonier Powery has been recognised as a boundlessly creative talent for some time now, and an impressive step on his journey as an artist has recently been cemented with an inaugural solo exhibition at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands.
Titled ‘Unstoppable Steps’, it features a collection of ceramic works that are whimsical, cultural and utterly unique.
Born on the Isle of Youth, Cuba, Powery’s formal studies in fine art instilled a sense of discipline and emphasis on the mastery of multiple techniques — a fact reflected in the artist’s proficiency across a variety of different media. His work draws on the aesthetic influences and the rich artistic traditions of Cuba and the broader legacy of European surrealism across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Acknowledging the deep ancestral associations that link the artist’s family, and those of many Caymanians, to the Isla de la Juventud (formerly the Isle of Pines), the pieces in this exhibition explore a fantastical world that is as much a product of Cuba and Cayman’s close cultural and economic ties to the sea as it is to the artist’s fertile imagination. Steeped in nostalgia for the maritime culture that for so long defined our way of life, Powery’s work also seeks to honour his artistic forebears, as the artist himself attests.
“This exhibit aims to pay tribute to all the art pioneers in the Cayman Islands, such as Bendel Hydes and Miss Lassie, whose work set the path for the development and evolution of an artistic movement throughout our Islands,” Powery said. “Inspired by their commitment and passion for the arts, I followed in their footsteps and embraced my creative potential. My motivation derives from the responsibility an artist carries towards society, which fuels my continual urge to create. Each piece has a personal meaning that speaks to my life, my ancestors, my identity, and my human experiences, while also reflecting what it means to be part of a community.”
