Artistic Talents of Cayman’s Youth on Show

The talents of Cayman’s young artists are currently on display at The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, in collaboration with Cayman Art Week, in a new exhibition allowing them to shine.

Next Wave: Emerging Voices in Cayman Art is an exhibition celebrating the creativity, perspectives, and talent of young artists aged 16 to 20 from across the Cayman Islands. Opened as part of Cayman Art Week’s Launch Event on 26 May, the exhibition in the National Gallery’s Dart Auditorium Community Gallery runs until 12 June. 

Next Wave features a broad range of artistic practices, including painting, drawing, pen and ink, lino block, photography, ceramic and stone sculpture, mixed media, digital art, performance art, and fashion. Together, these works reflect the artists’ personal experiences, cultural identity, social observations, and imaginative explorations of life in Cayman. The exhibition provides a dynamic platform for young creatives to share their work, gain recognition, and contribute to the evolving cultural narrative of the Cayman Islands.

Next Wave Curator Lori Peterson said the essence of the exhibition was to showcase the creative perspectives of the upcoming generation and to provide a platform for young creatives to exhibit their work in a professional museum environment.

“The emerging artists represented in Next Wave are tackling the personal, social, and cultural shifts that their generation is experiencing, and expressing themselves on a conceptual level rather than internalising these challenging emotions,” Lori stated. “The National Gallery is thrilled by the incredible response we received to the exhibition’s Open Call and the calibre of submissions, proving again that the discipline of visual arts continues to thrive amongst our youth.”

Through this new exhibition, the National Gallery and Cayman Art Week aim to spotlight fresh perspectives and innovative approaches from emerging artists at a pivotal stage in their creative development. Participating artists are having their works professionally exhibited and promoted through special events during Cayman Art Week and through media channels. By investing in their talent, the exhibition helps shape the future of the arts community in the Cayman Islands and beyond, the Gallery said.

Next Wave: Emerging Voices in Cayman Art is on display at the Gallery’s main site on Esterly Tibbetts Highway in the Dart Auditorium Community Gallery. Admission to the National Gallery and the exhibition is free. Opening times are Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Closed Sundays and Public Holidays. For more information about the exhibition, please email Maia Muttoo, Head of Programmes, at education@nationalgallery.org.ky  or visit https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/whats-on/  to learn more.

Featured Artists:

Alexandra Hughes, Alida Dzaghgouni, Deandre Scott, Elisabeth Lindley, Gina Bertolino, Hans Bodden Serrudo, Harry Cowell, Holly Nehra, Jessica Dawson, Josana Leung, Kimora Dixon, Krisi Smith, Kylie Mondor, Lara Slevin, Leanda Farley, Madelyn Henry, Madison Black, Michael Moncrieffe, Natalie Allison, Peyton Tiofilo, Rhea Timothy, Shamir Jayamanna, Shay Price, Teagan Simpson, Tyler Hyman, Victoria Suarez, Zoey Miller, and Zuri Whittaker.