Landscapes of Abstraction

Whilst the landscape genre has long been associated with realistic depictions of the natural world, successive generations of Caymanian artists have explored the expressive potential of abstraction as a means of capturing the visual impressions and sensations of our unique terrestrial environment. Beginning with the pioneering work of Bendel Hydes—the forefather of Caymanian art, whose Tropical Plant series offers an attempt to translate the vibrant colours of the Caribbean into painterly form—this exhibition traces the development of a distinctly Caymanian approach to abstract painting. Focusing on the ways in which artists have responded to, and interpreted, our Islands’ tropical flora and captivating natural scenery, Landscapes of Abstraction showcases several important pieces from the National Collection, among them works by Bendel Hydes, David Bridgeman, and founding member of the Native Sons artist collective, Miguel Powery. Highlighting the enduring legacy of these earlier artists within the evolving Caymanian art scene, presented alongside are a selection of recent works by contemporary artists whose diverse practices reflect a variety of stylistic approaches. Set against a backdrop of rapid change and increasing urban development, these images further bear witness to the pressing need to preserve our fragile environment for future generations, as well as nature’s continued appeal as a compelling subject of artistic investigation.