Creative Caymanians Wray Banker making his mark

Wray Banker has been making his mark on Cayman’s artistic scene for some 20 years, his work heavily influenced by the islands.  

Originally from West Bay, Banker is influenced by artists such as Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, and over the years his work has earned many accolades. He designed the Olympic Committee pin for the 1996 Olympics and one for the 2003 Pan Am Games, both of which were voted Best of Countries. He has exhibited in Chicago and Miami, as well as at numerous shows in Cayman. He currently is exhibitions coordinator for the National Museum. 

Weekender caught up with the talented graphic designer and fine artist to find out more. 

What are you working on at the moment? 

I’m an artist selected for the Goya/Dali lithograph exhibition, and work for my solo show “G’ine” – which could turn out to be a very influential one and is in need of a main sponsor – hint hint! Both are held at the National Gallery. When I can find the time with a full time job, I create fine craft works and traditional arts events with Deal Ebanks. 

How do different materials/formats inspire you? 

Firstly, like any good artist, art can be found in any[thing] and everything. I like having to become a crash course master of a new medium and stamp it with a signature style. 

How do different locations or surroundings affect your work? 

I don’t think I’m “inspired” by new and different locations in the classic sense. I find they cause me to reinforce my artistic identity. A three-week art stint in Cuba surrounded with work that wasn’t my ascetics made me realize my classification as a pop art genre artist, appreciation for minimalism and my color palette. 

What are your plans for 2014 and beyond? 

“G’ine G’ine G’ine,” possible collaborations and regional opportunities. 

How has Cayman influenced your work? 

I had thought growing up I would be an artist with universally based themes and Cayman wouldn’t have enough subject matter for me. To my surprise, not only have I found Caymanian subject matter for my art, I am immersed in the richness of them. I fear I will not be able to document and illustrate all the multitude of intricacies, ascetics and have them appreciated before they disappear. 

What have been your proudest moments / greatest successes to date? 

Other than the birth of daughter Isabella and sporting achievements, I would have to say the very first Native Sons Exhibition back in 1996. It was the first time as an artist, showing my work in Cayman, as well as branding the event [unheard of then] and applying curator skills. The show was so well received and really shook up art in Cayman. It launched a lot of careers. Others were solo shows, “Serious bout makin fun,’” – it was great doing my own thing and getting so much support and validation. To see how the Cayman language is widely used in the main stream. That was a goal back of mine in the ‘90s and one of the first to use it in formal settings. 

Are people interested in your background? What do you tell them about Cayman? 

I’m irked when I hear “There’s nothing much here” – worse if it’s from one of our own. For such small, young islands, we have a lot of history, culture and characters. Unfortunately, a trait of our culture was that we didn’t celebrate our culture. Cayman and Caymanians have a thing about them that I just wish I could sum up, but “look good, it deh.”