Gram Bella’s hosting latest Kerwin Ebanks project

North Side’s artistic project pace, Gram Bella’s, is presenting a new showcase opening 1st April, by multidisciplinary artist Kerwin G. Ebanks. The showcase is called ‘Manavelins 4’ and marks the fourth iteration of Kerwin’s evolving body of work, now expanded with new pieces.

Kerwin G. Ebanks is a Caymanian artist whose work explores human impact on natural resources. His practice highlights critical issues such as pollution, overfishing, and the evolving politics of beach access using found objects, mixed media, painting and sculpture.

Cultural Practitioner Kerri-Anne Chisholm, who runs Gram Bella’s - a unique entity that fosters artistic exploration and community engagement through contemporary art and multidisciplinary showcases - explained that “Manavelins,” is a 19th-century nautical slang term referring to miscellaneous odds and ends, scraps of food, or extra gear.

“It is a fitting metaphor for Ebanks’ practice; since 2018, he has worked almost exclusively with repurposed materials and “trash” salvaged from Cayman’s shores,” she said.

Expect more than a standard art exhibition.

“At Gram Bella’s, we refer to our exhibitions as “dialogues”. This terminology reflects our focus on the active communication between the artist, the artwork, and the audience. These creative dialogues are intended to foster broader community conversations regarding stewardship and our shared environment,” Kerri-Anne said.

She furthered that Kerwin’s collection was a “living project”.

“As he continues his efforts to clean local beaches, his supply of materials—and the works themselves—constantly expands. This showcase features 2D and 3D works crafted from discarded items like “ghost” fishing nets, HDPE plastics, and grocery store paper bags, reimagined into intricate mosaics and sculptures,” she said.

The showcase is accessible to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Those arriving after sunset are invited to use the light switches located on the wall to illuminate the space, and to kindly turn them off on departure.

Gram Bella’s is located in North Side on Rum Point Drive, conveniently situated near Chisholm’s Grocery.

The showcase features a robust schedule of interactive events designed to bring the conversation deeper into the community, beginning with the opening on 1 April. This is followed on 4 April with a community art activity at 3pm followed by a ‘meet the artist’ evening. On 18 April at 8am there will be a beach clean-up at the shore across from Gram Bella’s, followed immediately by a ‘makery session’ using the items collected. From 22-24 April Earth Week school field trips will take place (requested through manavelins@gmail.com). On 22 April, Earth Day, an ‘Illuminate The Earth’ event will take place, with green lighting switched on. On 25 April at 6pm there will be a panel dialogue featuring government officials, artists, activists, and community members to discuss the intersections of art and environmental policy and on 16 May at 6pm there will be a film screening related to environmental themes. On 30 May from 9am there will be Cayman Art Week East bus tours (registration required at caymanartweek.com). On 13 June at 6pm there will be a film screening related to environmental themes, and finally, on 27 June from 6pm there will be a closing party.