On 25 November 2021, Yonier Powery Serrano’s inaugural solo exhibition opened at NGCI in the DART Auditorium Community Gallery, with Hon. Bernie Bush, Minister for Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, and several other dignitaries in attendance. Titled Yonier Powery: Unstoppable Steps, and featuring a survey of ceramic works that trace the artist’s personal and creative journey, Powery’s sculptural creations embody his ceaseless quest to challenge himself and ultimately perfect his craft.
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.
Powery aims to pay tribute in this exhibition to all the art pioneers in the Cayman Islands, such as Bendel Hydes and Miss Lassie, whose work lay the foundations for the progression of the Caymanian arts scene. “Inspired by their commitment and passion for the arts, I followed in their footsteps and embraced my creative journey”, states the artist. “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 that has continuously shown acceptance and support for my work”.
Paying homage to the past while leaving his own distinct mark on contemporary visual culture in Cayman, Powery’s ceramic sculptures embody the boundless energy that has propelled the artist and his work forward. Powery’s exhibition showcases his mastery of the technically challenging medium of ceramics, exploring historical and contemporary subjects that speak to the rich maritime culture that unites his birthplace with the Cayman Islands’ deep-seated ties to the sea.
Featuring over 20 artworks, Yonier Powery: Unstoppable Steps will run until 21 January 2022, and is on view in the DART Auditorium Community Gallery at NGCI from 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday. A supporting programme of events can be found here.
Born on the Isle of Youth in Cuba in 1983, Yonier Powery has been formally practicing art since his time under the tutelage of Augustin Villafaña in 1999, and has been working as a full-time artist in the Cayman Islands since 2010. A master of many mediums, Powery specializes in a wide variety of fine art, with Unstoppable Steps primarily showcasing his masterful work in the field of sculptures. He has donated artworks to assist in a variety of community projects and local charities, including the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, and his work can be found in private collections worldwide.
Since moving to Grand Cayman, Powery’s work has featured in numerous exhibitions, including solo shows at AwardArt Gallery in 2018 and 2020, as well as the NGCI exhibitions Cross Currents – 1st Cayman Islands Biennial (2019), Reimagined Futures – 2nd Cayman Islands Biennial (2021) and now a solo exhibition in the NGCI Dart Auditorium Community Gallery, Yonier Powery: Unstoppable Steps (2021).