Nature in the art spotlight

By Lindsey Turnbull

Exhibiting on the Brac as well as in Grand Cayman, the National Gallery’s latest offering is a wonderful exploration of the enduring appeal of nature as a subject of continued inspiration for generations of local artists.

The exhibition, The Art of Nature, is drawn entirely from artwork in the National Collection, celebrating Cayman’s beautiful environment.

The NGCI’s Collections Curator William Helfrecht said the exhibition was “an homage to nature”, reminding viewers to appreciate the remarkable sights and overlooked details that surround us, while also sending an importance message about the necessity of preserving Cayman’s fragile ecosystems and native wildlife that are increasingly under threat.

In Grand Cayman, the exhibition has been installed in the NGCI’s Dart Auditorium Community Gallery. This larger of the two presentations features paintings, photography, watercolour, and ceramic sculptures that collectively demonstrate the variety of ways in which artists have documented, researched, and celebrated Cayman’s rich assortment of flora and fauna.

The exhibition includes work by much-loved pioneering Caymanian artists such as Edrid Banks Jr. and Charles Long as well as 1980s abstractions of Bendel Hydes’ iconic Tropical Plant series. The exhibition reflects the stylistic eclecticism of Cayman’s burgeoning art scene in its early years, William said.

Moving into the present, contemporary abstract works by artists such as Linda McCann and Chris Mann further add their distinct voices to an ever-expanding creative dialogue inspired by the natural world.

Complementing the artworks that are on view indoors, visitors to the National Gallery’s main site are encouraged to take a stroll through NGCI’s sculpture garden, where visitors can observe similar examples of native birdlife and endemic plant species firsthand.

The show’s satellite component is simultaneously installed at the Cayman Brac Heritage House, where views of the Bluff and the island’s rugged coastline are close by. Artworks here focus on watercolour and botanical studies by several artists associated with the development of the Visual Arts Society—from Lorna Griggs and Moira Abbott to Maureen Andersen Berry and Debbie Chase van der Bol.

Speaking to the significance of NGCI’s ongoing partnership with the Cayman Brac Heritage House, which has served as a host venue for multiple National Gallery projects over the past view years, CBHH’s Programme Manager Saskia Edwards said:

“Both organisations share a deep affinity for preserving Caymanian culture and heritage, as well as a commitment to raising awareness around the need for environmental protection and sustainability. This exhibition is especially fitting for Cayman Brac audiences, where enjoyment of the outdoors and engagement with nature is a much-loved aspect of residents’ daily lives.”

As a frequent host venue for children’s activity camps and school tours, exhibitions such as this have the added benefit of providing invaluable learning opportunities for younger visitors to the space, she added.

The Art of Nature is on view at Cayman Brac Heritage House until 30 June and at NGCI’s Dart Auditorium Gallery until 15 May 2026. Residents and visitors in Cayman Brac view the exhibition at Cayman Brac Heritage House, which is open to the public Monday-Friday, from 8:30am-12 and 1-5pm. The Art of Nature is on display at NGCI’s main site on Esterly Tibbetts Highway in the Dart Auditorium Community Gallery, which is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. For more information about the exhibitions please email Maia Muttoo, Education Manager, at education@nationalgallery.org.ky  or visit https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/whats-on/  to learn more.

Featured Artists: Moira Abbott, Maureen Andersen Berry, Edrid Banks Jr., Babbity Barwick, April Bending, Debbie Chase van der Bol, Penny Clifford, Bill Ferehawk, Virginia Foster, Lorna Griggs, Teresa Grimes, David Hartwell, Guy Harvey, Stuart Holmes, Bendel Hydes, Zane Kuttner, Charles Long, Chris Mann, Linda McCann, Sarah McDougall, Olly and Suzi, Yonier Powery, Helene Schindler, Cecilia Urdaneta, and Larisa Sved.