Missing in Action
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from October 2003.
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The project is designed to draw national attention to the plight of the Cayman Blue Iguana, an indigenous creature to Cayman that is sadly nearing extinction. The 17-hand painted iguanas, which measure seven feet in length, will feature at local parks and venues and present a unique sponsorship opportunity to local individuals and businesses. Following is the first of the reptilian reminders, Missing in Action. "This was a great opportunity for me to bring out my feelings and emotions about a subject that I have been trying to get in the public's eye for a long time".
Luelen Bodden channelled a painful personal issue in the creation of his iguana to the Blue Dragon Project. The disappearance of his father over Cuba, while on a flight to Fort Lauderdale in 1975 has created a gaping hole of uncertainty in Luelen.
"I want the public to be aware of the burning I have inside me. This was an opportunity for me to take advantage of both educating people about the disappearing blue iguana as well as the disappearance of my father."
Luelen states that working on MIA presented a unique challenge to him as an artist.
"Working on the blue iguana shape was like painting on a canvas to me. I thought it might be a challenge, and it was! A three-dimensional piece really isn't a canvas although I treated it like one". When asked how he felt this project might bring awareness to the public on the plight of the blue, Leulen said, "We Caymanians know that their aren't many blue iguanas left in the world but with these large colourful iguanas out in public places like parks and beaches where we take our children, all will become aware and try to protect them."
Leulan has his own personal art gallery called NAS ART located on Palmdale off Crewe Road and he can be contacted at 916-3195 by anyone who wishes to view any of his paintings or sculpture.
Missing in Action will be released for public viewing shortly.
