Auction Evening: 7 November, 2013 National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
Welcome to The National Gallery’s Big Art Auction 2 We are extremely thankful for the support NGCI has received in the past year, and are pleased to report on the positive progress that has been made because of the commitment of patrons such as you. The opening of the new National Gallery facility in February 2012 marked a milestone in the history of our organisation and the development of arts and culture in the Cayman Islands. The first week saw more than 1,000 people attending the opening celebrations - a clear message that the country has been behind us as we endeavour to create an art gallery of national, and international, significance. Since then we are pleased to report that this exceptional support has continued. In 2012/13 we welcomed over 17,000 visitors to the Gallery and at our community events in Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands, a 100% increase from previous years. As our organisation grows so to do our funding requirements. To supplement our Government grant (which equates to 54% of our annual budget), we rely on vital funds from both public and private sources to sustain our extensive education programme, ensure free access to our exhibitions, and to care for and develop the National Collection. Proceeds from Big Art Auction 2, which will now be an annual event on the NGCI fundraising calendar, will help us reach our annual funding targets, and we encourage you to bid generously. Thank you for your support.
Jennifer Woodford BAA Chairperson
Natalie Urquhart NGCI Director
We wish to extend a huge thank you to our participating artists for part-donating their work to BAA2: Wray Banker • John Bird • David Bridgeman • Renate Seffer • Randy Chollette Al Ebanks • Teresa Grimes • Bendel Hydes • Gordon Solomon • Miguel Powery Chris Mann • Nasaria Suckoo Chollette • Mikael Seffer • Avril Ward • John Broad
Lot #1 - Poinciana Rain III (2013) Acrylic and Metal Leaf 60” x 60”
Reserve: KYD$2,500
Avril Ward (b. 1962) Over the last 13 years Avril has become a prolific painter and sculptor. A largely self-taught artist, Avril comes from a background of graphic design but over the years she has branched out and experimented with fabric design, large scale murals, trompe l’oeil and mosaics. Each of these areas has impacted her diverse style and use of medium. She works in various media and paints in themes, usually completing a series of 20-30 pieces before altering her style, medium and subject matter, thereby expressing her diverse interest in life. “If my art can move a person to pause, think, smile, ponder, cry, laugh or want to own one of my works, then I have served my purpose in life.”
Lot #2 - Vanitas Theatre (2013) Mixed Media 20” x 24”
Reserve: KYD$900
Chris Mann (b. 1955) Chris was born in England and trained at Goldsmiths College. He moved to Cayman in 1987 as Head of Art at George Hicks High School. Working in oil, acrylic, mixed media and collage, his work is characterized by its bold, sculptural description of form and broad use of rich colour. Chris’ works have represented the Cayman Islands in England, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, and New Zealand. Chris has works in the collections of The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands National Archive, Cayman Islands National Museum, Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Royal College of Music, London, and many private collections throughout the world.
Lot #3 - Sprout (2012) Red Cedar, Ash, Poplar and Dyes 31” x 38” x 10”
John Bird
Reserve: KYD$1,000
(b. 1961)
Based in Cayman since 2004, John Bird is an award-winning furniture designer and artisan who trained for two years at Parnham College with renowned British furniture designer John Makepeace. In 2001 John won second place at the Ogier Art Awards with a stunning wood carving of two stingrays soaring over ripples of sand. His artwork is typically made from reclaimed materials and he uses a variety of wood such as African mahogany, maple, ash and poplar. Bird uses power tools, chisels and “lots and lots of sanding” to achieve the gleaming smooth finish.
Lot #4 - Carnival Queen (2013) Acrylic Collage, Mixed Media on Canvas 36” x 24”
Reserve: KYD$1,500
John Broad (b. 1947) John was born in Essex, England and attended Southend School of Art and Edinburgh College of Art. Moving to Cayman in 1989, he took up an art teaching post at the Cayman Islands High School. Since then he has held many successful solo exhibitions in Grand Cayman. John has also participated in many group exhibitions including several at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, and was recently featured in the London Underground’s contemporary artist series. In 2003, he was commissioned by Cayman’s Quincentennial organizers to create a tile painting, commemorating 500 years of Cayman Islands history. John was also awarded the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s prize for Artistic Achievement in 2004. John’s work is infused with pure colour, movement and passion for the human spirit. His work is in collections both in Grand Cayman and around the world.
Lot #5 - Low Pressure #2 (2012) Concrete, Mixed Media 36” x 36”
Reserve: KYD$1,460
Mikael Seffer (b. 1974) For local artist Mikael Seffer, growing up on in the Cayman Islands has been the perfect backdrop for his work. He draws his inspiration from his deep passion for the ocean – from the movement of the tides, the natural light that reflects from an ever changing sky and hues that coexist seamlessly in nature. Influenced by the works of artists such as Dale Frank, Helen Frankenthaler and Louis Morris, Mikael continues to explore unconventional techniques that push the boundaries through application and use of various media that have included pigments, acrylics, concrete and resin which has become his signature finish. Mikael’s work forms part of many private and corporate collections locally and overseas.
Lot #6 - White Owl (2012) Acrylic on Canvas 40” x 40”
Reserve: KYD$1,540
Renate Seffer (b. 1971) Renate Seffer is an established artist known for her vivid imagination and bold use of colour. Her enchanting and evocative works often touch on themes of love, humor, adventure and experiences of the world through grateful and curious eyes. Renate’s style varies depending on theme and can often blend between whimsical island figures and bold colourful abstractions that are often derived from her surroundings, her passion for the ocean, the people she meets and her cultural experiences - an array of inspiration that continues to take her on an endless creative journey. A native of Australia, Renate settled on the Island of Grand Cayman in 1995 and has exhibited locally and internationally with group shows in Spain, Canada and the US.
Lot #7 - Schooners Racing off West Bay Beach (2013) Oil on Canvas 22” x 36”
Reserve: KYD$1,600
Miguel Powery (b. 1957) Miguel has been painting, exhibiting and selling art work for the past 19 years. He was a founding member of the Native Sons group and has studied under many different artists through programmes provided by Cayman National Cultural Foundation, the Visual Arts Society and the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. Miguel practices in various media including jewellery-making and sculpture in Black Coral and precious metals. Inspired by his father’s stories of fishing trips to the Moskito Cays, Miguel enjoys the subject of boats and the sea with particular interest in the movement and colour. Miguel’s work can be found in the collection of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands National Museum, along with numerous private collections, and he has held exhibitions on the Island and abroad.
Lot #8 - Barkers Birch Patch (2012) Acrylic on Canvas 15.25” x 18.75”
Reserve: KYD$500
Teresa Grimes (b. 1952) A resident of Cayman since 1986, Teresa is originally from Baltimore and received her BA from the University of Maryland in Classical Archaeology/ Classical Art. Working mainly in oils and acrylics, Teresa has exhibited at various galleries and art shows in the Cayman Islands and elsewhere. She was awarded the Ogier Award in 2010, represented Cayman in the Guyana Carifesta in 2008, in the Carib Art Travelling Exhibition in Curacao in 1993 and at the Biennial in the Dominican Republic in 1994. Her pieces have been purchased for the Governor’s Residence and by The Visual Art Society, Cayman National Cultural Foundation, the Cayman Islands National Museum and the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. Her work is also held in private collections both locally and abroad.
Lot #9 - When I’m Gone (2013) Acrylic and Appliqué, Paper, Glue and Embroidery 24” x 38”
Reserve: KYD$1,500
Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette (b. 1968) Storyteller, poet and artist Nasaria has always experienced the world through art. Nasaria’s early visual artworks were primarily acrylic on canvas, but grew to include appliqué and traditional arts textile techniques. Her subject matter varies from political and cultural issues to religion. Her forages into new artistic areas resulted in a very sought after piece entitled, ‘The Women Have Become The Truth” which premiered at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands’ 2005 retrospective exhibition of works by Natives Sons, and is now a part of the National Collection. When viewing her works, Nasaria says that she, “…hopes that the viewer walks away with a strong reaction to (her) my work, whether it be positive or negative. Art that stirs nothing in a person is not art at all.”
Lot #10 - Wind in the Trees (2013) Oil on Canvas 24” x 30”
Reserve: KYD$2,500
Randy Chollette (b. 1974) Self-taught musician and fine artist Randy Chollette began painting when he was just 5 years old, on rocks, wood, and any surface he could find. He continued with art classes at the Cayman Islands High School, during which time his work was featured on the cover of the Horizon Magazine. Since then his work has matured and his skills increased through perseverance and Yahweh’s blessing. Randy’s work ranges from realistic to the abstract, his work is spiritual, meditative and mesmerizing. Also evident is his love for Cayman’s natural surroundings, honour for his African Heritage, and observance of brotherhood and humanity. Randy has collectors in Cayman, London, Canada, New York and Malaysia. His work honours the essence of the Creator that is in everything and everyone.
Lot #11 - Land Sky n Sea (2009) Acrylic on Canvas 30” x 30”
Reserve: KYD$3,000
Al Ebanks (b. 1963) Al Ebanks is a founding member of the Native Sons and he has exhibited both with the group and in several solo shows in Cayman as well as overseas. Al’s style is best described as a fresh twist of abstract and impressionist art. In addition to his wide range of paintings, Al is also a talented sculptor in stone, wood, bronze and ceramics. As an artist he is dedicated to refining his abilities and is always eager to learn more. Al’s work can be found in the permanent collections of the Cayman Islands National Museum, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, the Griffin Gallery in Chicago, the Ritz Carlton Hotel of Grand Cayman, the Sherry Frontenac Hotel in Miami and many private collections.
Lot #12 - Boat Yard 1 (2013) Oil on Canvas 28” x 22”
Reserve: KYD$1,800
Gordon Solomon (b. 1977) With a background in architectural drawing and sign design Gordon’s work explores a range of Caymanian themes with an illustrative approach and graphic-like use of colour. Gordon began exhibiting mixed media artworks in February 1999 with the Native Sons. Inspired by the late Bob Ross and missionary artist Thomas Kinkade, Gordon experiments with oils and pastels on canvas. Gordon has taken part in the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands’ Artist Away programme, he is an active art instructor, and was awarded with the Cayman National Cultural Foundation’s “Artistic Endeavour Award” in 2002. Gordon has undoubtedly made a notable move in the world of fine art and has established his artistic roots in the community’s art core.
Lot #13 - Refracted Water III (2004) Oil on Canvas 31” x 31”
Reserve: KYD$3,000
Bendel Hydes (b. 1952) Bendel Hydes was born in the Cayman Islands. He finished his studies at Clark University in the United States to pursue ‘a more intellectual approach’ to art and ideas, and pursued studies in International Relations and philosophy, receiving his BA in 1976. Since 1982, he has lived and worked in New York City. Mr. Hydes has exhibited at the Commonwealth Institute, London (1986), the 23rd International Biennale de Sao Paulo, Brazil (1996), the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (2003) and participated in numerous exhibitions internationally, including the 30th International Festival of Painting, at the Museum of Cagnes-sur-Mur, France and “Caribbean Visions: Contemporary Painting and Sculpture, 1994-96”. The latter was the most acclaimed survey of Caribbean art ever assembled at the time, opening at the Center for African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. before travelling to the Latin American Art Museum, Long Beach, California and various other US cities. Bendel is a Co-Founder of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands National Cultural Foundation.
Lot #14 - National Gallery (2012) Watercolour, Pen and Ink on Paper 24” x 18”
Reserve: KYD$900
David Bridgeman (b. 1959) David Bridgeman’s works have strong emotional ties to the landscape, both past and present, and contain images and symbols that bridge the gap between the Caribbean and his native England. Bridgeman works in a variety of media to convey these feelings, which often involve an underlying social commentary about life on a small island. David has exhibited throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe. His works form part of the collections in The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands National Museum, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation and Government House as well as local financial institutions and the writer Earl Lovelace.
Lot #15 - 3 A Lick, No Taws (1999) (Original work in the NGCI National Collection) Limited Edition Hand-Finished Giclee Est. 48” x 48”
Reserve: KYD$900
Wray Banker (b. 1968) Wray Banker’s early years of high school art had a great impact on him and he was influenced by Van Gogh and Picasso. Studying graphic art in Houston, Texas broadened his horizons, and artists such as Keith Haring and Andy Warhol became important influences as the artist explored the NeoPop Movement. His artistic notables include his CI Olympic Committee pin designs for the ‘96 Olympics and ‘03 Pan Am Games; His ‘Oh Ma Toe!’ and the Warholesque ‘Ode to Milo’ series, which reside in the National Collection of the Cayman Islands National Museum and National Gallery. He first exhibited publicly on island in 1996 with the collective Native Sons, of which he is a founding member, and has exhibited widely on Island since.
Thank You to our Auctioneer Philip Paschalides and to Ralph and Jennifer Woodford for kindly supporting the event.
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