Cayman Memories: A photographic journey of the Cayman Islands is an art exhibit featuring the photographic work of Patrick Broderick, Lennon Christian, Aston Ebanks, Kenroy Lumsden and Courtney Platt and was unveiled at the Ritz Carlton’s gallery mid September. Business Editor Lindsey Turnbull speaks with Aston Ebanks to hear his interpretation of the theme.
What was your initial response to the theme?
As always I first analyse the topic in an attempt to map the different ways in which it can be interpreted so as to give me direction or at least a starting point from which to approach the subject.
What did you want to get out of the exhibition?
The objective for me with this exhibit was to make it as personal a journey as possible, meanwhile retaining the marketability of the images. There is a sort of nostalgic romanticising of the images chosen. This I think is amplified by the way in which they are displayed.
How did you begin taking photographs for the exhibit?
The preparation process for this exhibition was straight forward, I first reviewed all the photos I had taken on island over the past three years and divided them into sub-categories. I then when out a shot a few new ones but the majority of the images on display are from my personal archive. Some date back before Hurricane Ivan, such as The Island (of Sand Cay) and Hope (a leafy lane taken somewhere past Pedro’s castle) and some are of the Hurricane’s aftermath, such as Launch, which shows a jetty sawn off at the end, looking like it is about to launch a rocket high into the sky. I felt that choosing never before shown photos of the island would be a better interpretation of the topic, especially those that depict an island forever changed.
Did you have any particular inspiration with regard to subject matter?
On previous visits to Picture This (Camera store) I noticed they were they were making frames out of the odd lengths of left over material. I thought this would add to the over all desired effect which was for the viewer to imagine anyone of these framed images fitting right in on a wall at home mixed in with family photos. I was hoping to capture a sense of
familiarity. And I think I might have just succeeded.
Talk us through how you produced the images.
I have taken black and white photos but played with the colour adding filters and a silver tint, exaggerating the depth and therefore producing more of an interesting contrast. I like making ordinary photographs look extraordinary.
Cayman Memories: A photographic journey of the Cayman Islands runs until 27 November.
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