au courant

au courant was a group exhibition that featured eight international contemporary artists from Cuba, Puerto Rico, the United States, Japan and Lebanon, alongside the work of Caymanian artists Aston Ebanks and Bendel Hydes. As an opportunity to introduce local audiences to the latest developments within the global field of contemporary art, the exhibition sought to develop a broader affinity for the eclectic and boundary pushing practices of a diverse selection of artists, while also seeking to inspire and challenge the local artistic community within the Cayman Islands. The varied backgrounds of the featured artists were reflected in the stylistic and thematic diversity of the works on display, which encompassed assemblage art, installation, video art, and photography. Acknowledging the pervasive influence of the globalised contemporary art world, au courant provided a critical lens through which to view the work of Caymanian artists, as well as a means to assess evolving trends in contemporary practice across the Cayman Islands. Artists were selected through extensive research both in Cayman and overseas, including at international art fairs Art Basel (Switzerland) and Art Miami (now Miami Basel). The exhibition, which was sponsored by Coutts (Cayman) Limited, was curated by former NGCI Director Nancy Barnard and ran from 13 October 2006 to 25 January 2007.