The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands has opened a new exhibition, ‘Tangled World’, which explores the “intricate beauty and profound significance of Cayman’s mangrove habitats”, featuring the works of local artists Babbity Barwick and Linda McCann.
“It means a lot to me to work with both Linda and Babbs,” said Natalie Urquhart, director of the National Gallery, during a members’ reception held on Thursday, 14 Nov.
“About three and a half years ago, I met Linda in her studio during Cayman’s first art week with sketches and paintings of mangroves,” Urquhart said. “I’ve known Babbs for many, many years. Babbs had started showing the first teases of this amazing ceramic collection inspired on mangroves on Instagram, but I hadn’t been aware of this practice before and I immediately started thinking about mangroves…
“[I remembered] Linda’s studio was full of amazing sketches of mangroves, and I thought this could be a match made in heaven, not only as an artistic match, but we’re lifelong friends. Jump ahead two, three years, we were talking, brainstorming, and envisioning, and I think it’s come together in the most beautiful exhibition.”
Using ceramics as her primary medium for this exhibition, Barwick has incorporated ‘found’ elements from the swamp, adding unpredictable organic qualities to her pieces.
“We’ve been fiddling and diddling the swamp for a couple of years, swatting mosquitos and lugging equipment, having a laugh and getting inspired…. It’s been an amazing [and] magical experience,” Barwick said.
“We know you all care about the mangroves and know what an incredibly important habitat it is… What you’ll see is mostly inspired by two particularly known [mangrove habitats] that are very close to town, very easy to visit, absolutely no reason not to go. They’re both unprotected and, at any given moment, they can disappear.
Barwick encouraged attendees to “do whatever you can to support any effort to strengthen the protection of these environments because they do matter”.
As an accomplished painter, McCann’s work has taken her from Jersey to Dublin, and she has exhibited in various prestigious venues throughout Ireland and beyond.
“The mangroves are the star of the show,” McCann said during remarks at the launch of the exhibition. “A big thank you to Natalie. If it wasn’t for Natalie, this never would’ve have happened.”
She added, “If nobody ever looks at this stuff, it doesn’t mean anything. If it makes you go back and have a look at mangroves, it’s all worth it.”
Attendees got up close and personal with the new exhibition, through a display of ceramics, paintings and installation, video and audio that immerses visitors in a mangrove habitat.
According to a National Gallery press release, “this exhibition promises to be a transformative audio-visual and sensory experience exploring paintings, ceramics and digital media that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the unique natural wonders that surround us”.
The release noted the important role mangroves play in protecting against hurricanes, filtering seawater, providing sanctuary “for a myriad of species” and in battling against climate change by capturing carbon.
Pointing out that mangroves worldwide are under threat from development and pollution, a description of the exhibition on the National Gallery website notes, “Tangled World celebrates the ‘ugly beauty’ of the beguiling yet often unappreciated mangrove swamp. Beyond the confines of the gallery, the artists also seek to encourage opportunities for visitors to experience firsthand the complexity of these fragile ecosystems.”
The gallery will work with the artists on an educational component of the exhibition. Urquhart announced a new school programme will be launched in January 2024, a film series that will feature mangroves as the first episode. There will also be lectures.
The exhibition runs until 22 Feb. 2024. Admission is free and open to all.
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