The new solo exhibition by artist Randy Chollette, ‘Conversations in the 7th Dimension’, opened on Thursday, 6 March at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands.
The opening was not only well attended, but it also attracted of a ‘who’s who’ of established artists in the Cayman Islands, as several made appearances throughout the evening to admire Chollette’s works.
Chollette, a self-taught artist, is a member of the ‘Native Sons’ collective and is also a musician and educator. His work has been included in significant national and international exhibitions, and, as the National Gallery states, his creative process “synthesises the energetic, physical, and mental self through a lens of spiritual inquiry”.
Natalie Urquhart, director of the National Gallery, said, “This mid-career exhibition marks an important milestone for Randy Chollette, bringing together the many threads of his multidisciplinary practice while also signaling a bold new direction in his painting.
“Beautifully curated by guest curator Kerri-Anne Chisholm, the exhibition reminds us of our shared humanity – an affirmation that connection, kindness and compassion must be actively safeguarded, especially in challenging times.”
In this exhibit, Chollette shares both familiar and new works, which range from large installations and sculptures to vibrant oil paintings and detailed sketches presented in sets or integrated into fabrics.
The National Gallery, when describing the exhibit, says that it explores the dominant themes and methodologies of his artistic practice and invites visitors “into moments of grounding and contemplation” and that Chollette “creates space for visitors to engage with the expanse of the human experience, as freedom operates as the generative principle and experiential core”.
The pieces and accompanying text – themes and stories that help viewers to experience the piece and understand the artist’s views – were compelling.
‘The Quiet that Knows’, a recent piece painted in 2026, was inspired by images released by independent media at the start of a genocide, and captures a family held in a protective embrace. “Amid escalating violence, they create space for enduring human spirt to withstand the heavy frictions of conflict,” the accompanying text stated. “The painting serves as an urgent appeal to speak what is seen and to witness the profound strength of togetherness.”
“Conversations in the 7th Dimension I” is a work that captures the artist as “a vital link, channeling creative energy into physical form”.
The text reads: “Segmented shapes represent the layering of past, present and future, inviting the viewer into a space where time dissolves. Through the figure of the drummer, a conduit is formed, reconnecting the spirit to the Source.”
‘The Gift’ was a piece made from string, paint and rocks, and is intended to show how people map our shared conditions across time and space. “The red string representing the life force and humanity that finds us, is anchored by stones acting as dark matter – the universe’s mysterious, invisible ‘glue’,” the accompanying text states. “Suspended within this web, bio-geometric shapes harmonize the environment by transforming negative radiation into a positive, balanced energy.”
To further emphasise the link between his art and the viewers, Chollette even included his music at the opening, walking throughout the gallery performing a rhythmic piece on his drum, enticing guests to follow him outside for the presentations, and enhancing the atmosphere of anticipation and togetherness.
Guest curator Chisholm is a Caribbean cultural practitioner, social justice activist and artist, who has developed exhibitions for the University of Oxford and Tate Modern in the UK, as well as community projects in England and the Caribbean.
Raised in Cayman, she recalled the first time she viewed one of Chollette’s paintings shown by her art teacher at school and she wondered which European artist had painted it. She said she was impressed and inspired to learn it was painted by a Caymanian.
“To work with Randy all these years later feels like a full circle moment,” she said.
Chollette also spoke directly to the crowd as well, acknowledging that he is normally nervous and prefers not to speak.
“Many of those paintings were hard for me because right now as we speak, there’s genocides going on all over the world. That really inspired my work because as humanity, if you’re not standing for each other … we really have to think about that. I hope that everyone takes something from the work.”
Chollette also said that much of his work deals with nature and the environment as well. “‘Let’s take care of the trees; let’s take care of each other; let’s take care of our environment, which is vital.”
He added: “I just want everyone to remember humanity first, and not just the word, but the action. I hope everyone gets joy from my work, but I hope it lets you just examine where we are in this present moment in Cayman and in the world because we are all connected.”
At his urging, the crowd chanted “Humanity first!” with him.
“All right, so let’s love each other and let’s set a new standard for the world, right?” Chollette urged to applause.
Chollette’s exhibit ‘Conversations in the 7th Dimension’ will be available to view at the National Gallery until 10 June. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and more details can be found on their website.
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