#1National Gallery of the Cayman Islands Cultural Heritage & the Arts#2Our Mission... The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands serves to promote the appreciation and practice of the visual arts, of and in the Cayman Islands and to encourage dialogue relating to cultural heritage, national identity, Caymanian history and the history of art. This mandate is achieved through a variety of activities that aim to reach all members of the Cayman Islands community and the visiting public: outreach programmes, educational programmes, exhibitions, youth programmes, events, workshops, teacher training, school collaborations, art collections and educational lectures. Through these programmes and collections the NGCI encourages a rich exploration of culture and self, while building self esteem and fostering creativity amongst all participants. Wray Banker#3Programmes and Events Since our inauguration in 1996, the National Gallery exhibition and programme schedule has grown exponentially. We offer: @ 0 © 8 local and international exhibitions each year 2500+ visitors per exhibition 12 weekly education programmes Weekly guided school tours with cross curricular follow-up activities 8 weekly outreach community programmes Monthly workshops, lectures & film club 6 major annual community festivals Annual and shorter internships A full schedule in the Sister Islands The largest specialised arts and cultural library in Cayman and much more! NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS#4Bridging the Past and the Present.... A The primary teaching focus of the National Gallery lies in the interpretation of our contemporary cultural experience, specifically relating to the visual arts. Recently however we have been exploring ways to 'bridge the gap' between our traditional craft heritage and our contemporary cultural production. NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS#5OVERVIEW: Cayman 21st Century Exhibition 10" (4' (4" SAWD 4WOOOD 2"REDS) NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS CABOOSE KY HOTTHON cweat men INSPIRATION Delormention The National Gallery has teamed up with the Cayman Islands Traditional Arts Council and sponsor Butterfield to invite our contemporary artists and traditional artisans to collaborate in 21st Century Cayman. Working in pairs, they will share skills and explore contemporary and recycled materials to re- imagine some of the time-honoured techniques that make our heritage unique. Exhibited artworks will include Catboat sails designed with vibrant colours, hand carved and painted gigs and Waurie boards, thatch baskets plaited and embellished with bold recycled materials, and larger installation pieces using traditional weaving patterns, and many others. Ultimately, the National Gallery hopes to inspire the continuation of our traditional heritage in a way that is accessible and relevant to our youth, providing opportunities to further the skills and teachings of the traditional artists and to help support a sustainable craft industry for future generations. Accompanying the exhibition will be a curator's lecture on the history of Caymanian heritage craft and contemporary art, our monthly artist-led Lunchtime Lecture Series (x3), a 'Late Night at the Gallery' Waurie tournament, weaving and gig making workshops, and a series of panel discussion and debates. ury Cayman 21st Century Exhibition Members Preview: February 25th, 2010, 5:30pm General Opening: February 26th, 2010 NATIONAL GALLERY National Gallery CAYMAN ISLANDS Harbour Place Sponsor: Butterfield#6NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS Exhibition concept and background Renowned cultural theorist Stuart Hall argues that the development of a national culture is both an ongoing process and one rooted in tradition, a matter of becoming as well as being, a retelling of the past within the contemporary context as it were. Each of the works in our 21st Century Cayman exhibition attempted to address this concept by revisiting our heritage within a contemporary context. Sharing skills, and ideas, while experimenting with newer, readily available materials we hoped to inspire the continuation of our traditional heritage in a way that was accessible and relevant to our younger generation.#7Curatorial Mission NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS "In 21st Century Cayman we challenged our traditional crafters and contemporary artists to re-imagine our heritage craft within a contemporary context. Working in pairs, they exchanged ideas, shared time honoured skills and explored new materials to create a fresh new vision that is both past and present Cayman." Natalie Urquhart - Curator#8NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS Project Objects This project focused on the process as much as the final works for the exhibition. Our aim was: ⚫ Skill transferral - traditional weaving and carving techniques passed on to contemporary artists through a three month apprentice programme A mutual 're-imagining' of these skills to create new forms of artistic expression • The sharing of skills with school children in exciting and accessible ways and using new contemporary materials • Increasing the scope and commercial viability of the craft industry ⚫ (start video...)#9Traditional techniques, new subjects NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS#10Catboat sails as canvas NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS Anlie#11New materials NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS FOSTER'S FOOD FAIR GR Core WCW Care We Care SUPERMARKETS com THE AIRPORT CENTER 949-5155 THE STRAND PLAZA-945-4748 THE REPUBLIX PLAZA-949-3214 COUNTRYSIDE SHOPPING VILLAGE-943-5155 FORRITY'S SHOPPING CENTER (EXPRESS STORE)-947-28269#12NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS THATCHING (continued) INSPIRATION... Despite a strength which is somewhat inferior to that of sisal rope, thatch rope is more res damage by salt water than either sisal or hemp. It was this rope that was used on all the old b well as for roping beds, and suspending hammocks. Years ago baskets and hats were exported Bay Islands as well as to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, but rope-made in West Bay, North and East End -- not used on the island was shipped to Jamaica. In 1907, 515,000 fathoms were exporte at five pounds a hundred fathoms; in 1909, 173,000 fathoms were whipped at 15 pounds a hundred fathoms. It was sold to local traders who in turn sold it to the government. It was then shipped in bulk to Jamaica where it was distributed by the Jamaica Co-operative Union. The sale of rope provided the only cash income for many families for many years. Some 300 to 400 persons were involved in rope making during the first half of the twentieth century. Export of rope declined from 1.3 million fathoms 1964 to 127,450 fathoms in 1969 to none at all in 1970. Along with thatch sisal was woven and many persons made tiny boxes, fans and slippers. On the Brac, people make hats as well as table mats from the thatch palm. (Our Island Treasure, pg 14) The palm used for plaiting is the thatch palm, a tall slender tree with silvery-green fan shaped leave once used for making rope. The plaited baskets and hats were a secondary source for the strips Baskets were used to carry produce and jars of water to thirsty workers. Baskets were sturdy and large and were carried on the back with the aid of a long strap which was placed across the forehead. The Aates of Ameris palms' buds dry a lovely sand color and each bud can be cut into three thin strands. Depending on the thickness of the woven strips needed, the weaver uses between fifteen and twenty-three strands in about nine varying patterns. The strips are then made into a basket or a Norwester, May 1982, pg ings o Thatch palms which formed the roofs of houses, also formed the base for most everyday chor toting sand, wood and provisions. T ing baskets and hats and for makir for the Islands' vessels as well In addition plaiting thatch and making provided a liveliny people and was a seat export item. Wome predominant in the craft of plaiting. First they collected the unopenes tops or unexpanded l the thatch palms, and ideally these tops were collected the day before the moon was full. The t tied into bundles and left to dry; the amount of sun or shade determined the color of th Several weeks later individual palm fin by the fingernail. Tops inte used for making broom made of bands of r Determination from the leaves and then torn into desLONIAL REPORTS parated into palm fingers. Unus ait onto fish hooks. Hats ar g to width and number IMPORTS. There are literally hundreds of styles of planting, and color and style is passed on from DE, INDUSTRIES, AND AGRICULTURE. to another. These bands are sewn together with thatch into the desired product. Two were taught this craft as children remember, "about a dozen of us would take a 'bout twenty five feet long and go 'round by Colliers an cut a whole pile of companions would cut "about three or four thousand leaves and return to Ea To make thatch rope, the palm shoots were split into strips about half an inch wid inches long. Several of these strips are twisted together, looped around the started. As the twisting proceeds additional strips are tucked in with the c strand diameter remains constant and enough friction present to prevent pul the strand is about one-quarter of an inch in diameter and roughly 30 fath back and forth between the knee and the foot as the length increased made the laying together of the ropes was started, usually in a long cle strands are attacked at one end to three spindles which were rotated sin and at the other end to a single spindle. As two persons, one on each enus opposite directions, the rope is laid in the right hand direction from the strands - prevent knotting and to insure tightly laid rope a device is moved along just the strands are becoming twisted together. Containing three notches, this de the progressing lay, can spread the strands and make the lay tighter; if mo sembly a SATURDAY, Set aw has more holes than cheese" and needs beeling up t regulate the hedge funds themselve most of which are based in the Cayman Islands French Minister Christine France will value of the imports during the ve months preceding the 30th mber amounted to he previous your was... Ехговта. ed amount of the exports was at of 1904-05 was £23,820 00 20,840 0 0 £15,204 9 G 11,920 14 0 The large excess of imports over the exports is accounted for Ipllows:- S are about 1,500 Cayman islanders employed in the of America, Mexico, Spanish Honduras, &c., lies and relatives here, and they remit a oney to these Islands. schooners trading between the elsewhere. ... Chief Exports. 1904-05 1905-06. al flow Ed 4,158 00 1,089 18 0 1,337 10 153 00 5,657 12 0 1,543 0 586 10 577 Tickets are availa tha Christie's Rad Strow na del Mar at Turtle Hawks-bill turtle-shell Rope Cattle and borses Dried skins Logwood Cocoanute Pink pearls Conch sbells CAYMAN ISLANDS NATIONAL ARCHIVE -rope industry pleaze. mind. I do solemnly pleage my. and hands for the production of standard quality of straw ropes for 1 1 - promotion of trade and one common" אום JO#13NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS Adult Education Programme . Screenings: Film maker Aston Ebanks airs 21st Century Cayman and discusses the making of his documentary. Lectures: Events: Curator Natalie Urquhart will lead an informal tour of the new exhibition and discuss the history of traditional craft and contemporary art in Cayman 'The History of Catboats', a lecture by the Cayman Catboat Club. Lunchtime lecture: National Gallery curators will lead a, discussing various aspects of the artists' work. Art Forum: Panel Discussion surrounding the exhibitions concept - heritage and cultural development in 21st Century Cayman. Waurie Tournament: mediated by Wray Banker and Deals Ebanks of the Cayman Islands Traditional Arts Council. Workshops: Gig Carving Workshop with Deal Ebanks. Family Mornings at the National Gallery. Bring your family and enjoy of art activities related to the current exhibition. Traditional crafters Miss Lizzie Powell, Miss Rosemay Ebanks and Miss Marlena Anglin will demonstrate the art of thatch craft.#14NG CAYMAN ISLANDS NATIONAL GALLERY Cayman 21st Century Exhibition "The History of Catboats" A lecture by the Cayman Catboat Club O NG GALLERY NG CAYMAN ISLANDS NATIONAL GALLERY Cayman 21st Century Exhibition RED Join members of the Catboat Club, Jerris Miller, Loxley Banks and Kem Jackson as they discuss the influence this vessel has had on our society throughout history. Saturday, 20th March 6:00pm National Gallery, Harbour Place For info call 945-8111 Butterfield CITAC Join us and learn how to create your very own traditional Gig. the game piece for one of Cayman's most popular pastimes. $25 for registration and materials. Contact Kerri at 945-8111 for more details and to register. Supported by Cayman Islands Traditional Arts Council (CITAC) The National Gallery Presents A Gig Carving Workshop with Deal Ebanks Saturday, 24 April 11:00am to 4:00pm Will be held at the Gallery's Education Centre (located at Miss Lassie's Duplex South Sound Road) 103 HARBOUR PLACE, GEORGE TOWN 345.945.8111 www.NATIONALGALLERY.ORG.KY Waurie Tournament Join us for a night of fun and friendly rivalry as you compete for the title of Waurie Champion Wednesday, 7th April 6:00pm to 9:00pm National Gallery, Harbour Place Tournament mediated by Wray Banker and Deal Ebanks; both artists and members of the Cayman Islands Traditional Arts Council (CITAC). Sponsored by Butterfield NG NATIONAL GALLERY Cayman 21st Century Exhibition 21st Century Cayman; A documentary by Aston Ebanks View Mr. Ebanks' perspective of the artists behind the 21st Century Cayman exhibition. Take a look at how they have helped to keep Caymanian traditions alive. $5.00 admission or FREE for members. For more information call 945-8111 Tuesday 11th May 6:00pm Harbour Place NG AYHAS ASOS NATIONAL GALLERY Cayman 21st Century Exhibition This lecture accompanies the 21st Century Cayman exhibition.. National Gallery Curator, Natalie Urquhart will lead an informal tour of the new exhibition discussing the history of traditional crafts and contemporary art in Cayman. For more information E-mail [email protected] or call 945-8111. Sponsored by Butterfield Thursday 4th March 6:00pm Sponsored by Butterfield Supported by CITAC NG CAYMAN ISLANDS NATIONAL GALLERY Cayman 21st Century Exhibition Traditional Craft Demonstration and School Tour The NGCI will feature a selection of Cayman's well known artisans; Lizzie Powell, Marlena Anglin, Rose May Ebanks and Deal Ebanks. Learn all about thatch plaiting, gig making, sewing and more. Wednesday 12th May 10:00am to 3:00pm National Gallery, Harbour Place These skills will help to keep Caymanian traditions alive. Call 945-8111 for more information or to book your school's tour! Sponsored by Butterfield Supported by CITAC#15Cayman 21st Century Exhibition#16NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS School Programme The aim of the extensive school programme was to provide students with: • A clear understanding of the historical use of each craft form ⚫ Hands on instruction of weaving and carving techniques • An appreciation of new, sustainable materials • Fun, educational activities that would instill a life long passion for Caymanian heritage craft#17Guided School Tours LIG ut Pra ory The SALAKAY NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS at Surrender. No Surrender without Love.#18NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS Follow-up Classroom activities The comprehensive teachers guide included a series of cross-curricular lessons and activities designed to be incorporated into the existing curriculum. These included: . Glossary of exhibition terms (def of globalization, heritage etc) and related questions Word searchs History and uses of artifacts with trivia questions 'Compare and contrast' activities encouraging students to consider differences between the past and present Art activities Thatching activities and more!#19EXAMPLE ONE: WAURIE WARRIORS ACTIVITY NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS First the game was explained and the templates for creating a board and instructions for playing were provided: (Def) Waurie is a game played in the Cayman Islands. Legend has it that the game was introduced to Grand Cayman by the pirate Black Beard after one of his voyages to Africa. The game uses a board of 12 holes called "bowls" and two stores at both ends called "mancalas". At the start there are four seeds or nuts in each hole and each player claims one of the mancalas and the 6 bowls to the right of her mancala. On each turn, a player distributes the contents of one of her holes, one by seed is dropped into the player's own mancala, she gets to move again. The turn is over if the last seed falls into a bowl or the opponent's mancala. The game ends when all bowls of a player are empty. The player who has no seeds left in her bowls is the winner. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 wikimangala Nicker Seeds are the seeds of the gray "nickernut" shrub (Caesalpinia bonduc) and are maybe the most popular gaming counters used to play Waurie. The seeds Are found usually in pairs, on pods protected by thorns.#20EXAMPLE TWO: CATBOAT CREATIONS ACTIVITY Information was provided on the history of catboats along with archival images and then...... NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS Create Your Own Catboat Sail! To create your own catboat sail painting in the same style as Randy Cholette's "The Kings of Satura," in pencil, sketch out a rough drawing of the image you would like to depict on a bright piece of construction paper. Overtop of your drawing divide up your image into sections by drawing curving lines that go from one edge of your paper, right through your drawing to another edge. Go over each of your pencil lines with white glue then let the glue dry............ Courtesy of the Cayman Islands National Archive#21EXAMPLE THREE: WEAVING ACTIVITY Weaving a Thatch Wristband Full instructions with diagrams were provided along with a variety of new styles and shapes to try out. NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS#22Craft demonstrations NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS#23Students had the chance to learn from traditional artists first hand Ren Seffer#24Teacher Feedback NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS "During the Spring and Summer term, year two students from Cayman Prep and High School have been looking at what influences artists and their personal representation of ideas through a piece of work; we discussed uses of technique, colour and content. To assist our children in this we visited the National Gallery in March 2010 to specifically see some local Caymanian artist's work which was being displayed in the '21st Century' exhibition. We were treated to an invaluable curator's explanation of the art works and understood that the artists had been briefed to make artwork that tied Past and Present Cayman which helped the student's understand the particular influence of these works. The children were delighted to hear about the history behind the works and to see such a variety of techniques used to create pieces. " Lorien Neale, Cayman Prep School#25Back in the classroom students created their catboat 'art' stars in New Stanford exec threatened WAN cd sees 2008 SOLID Cayman B B Land#26rip to the onal Art inspired us ate work on what we saw. Cayman Century Exhibition#27NATIONAL GALLERY CAYMAN ISLANDS Exhibition Outcomes Development of the Teachers Guide and activity pack into school book on arts and crafts in Cayman • Take a Look programme (art history for students) using exhibition images • Creation of a permanent 'on demand' craft workshop series at the National Gallery • Continuation of apprenticeship opportunities for artist and younger students • Increased access to, and awareness of, heritage craft industries within school system • Revitalization of craft industry - new styles and materials with traditional techniques ⚫ New partnership opportunities for artists and traditional artisans • Platform for continuing dialogue within the arts community