The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands’ fourth annual biennial exhibition, ‘Archipelago‘, which opened in October 2025 across all three islands, culminated with an awards ceremony on 23 Jan.
The gallery’s biennial exhibition was the largest one to date with more than 75 works shown by 60 artists or collectives. It was also the first one to be co-curated by external experts, Caymanian Davin Ebanks and Joseph Underwood, both of whom teach at Kent State University in Ohio.
Artists submitted works that aligned to the theme ‘Archipelago’, which focused on exploring the intersection between individual identity and collective experiences, especially during the rapid changes taking place nationally.
According to a press release from the National Gallery, “The exhibition serves as a nexus for open dialogue, critique and personal reflection on global geopolitics, social isolation and the evolving identity of the nation.”
The awardees were recognised for works that exemplified the “technical proficiency and conceptual exploration defining the contemporary Caymanian art scene”.
Two artists selected for highest award
The highest honour given was the Bendel Hydes Award, named after the late artist who pioneered contemporary art in the Cayman Islands, and included a monetary prize, the opportunity to exhibit at the National Gallery and a commitment by it to purchase the work for its permanent collection. This year, this award was presented to two artists: Joanna Austin for her piece ‘Streetview (2025)’, which is a collection of drawings of South Church Street; and Randy Chollette for his piece ‘Laid in Stone (2024-2025)’, which is an installation that uses stacked and painted cement blocks to represent generational growth.
When asked for her reaction to receiving the award, Austin said, “Submitting to the Biennial was a goal of mine last year and it is the first time I’ve submitted to an open call. I was thrilled to have been accepted alongside other Caymanian artists whom I have followed avidly for years. I didn’t go into this thinking I might win. It has honestly blown me away to be chosen for this award alongside the amazing Randy Chollette.”
Austin submitted a sketch of her piece, which she called “my strolling-scrolling machine’, and developing it afterwards using a belt embroidery frame and original drawings. She said, “My drawings are digitized. Either way you view them, they’re the size of your phone screen and you have to concentrate. You’re isolated but also part of the global digital community viewing the changes in Cayman but passively scrolling by.”
Co-winner Chollette said, “Winning the Bendel Hydes award is a great honour because the competition really helped me to push myself even more than I usually do, and is a great vehicle for expansion.”
Chollette found this helpful as an artist but also to inspire other creatives. “Pushing boundaries and consistency are keys to producing your best work. Winning this award provides me with a platform to inspire other artists to push themselves as well.”
Emerging artists
The Bendel Hydes Emerging Artist Award was also presented. This award recognises a artist who shows exceptional promise and includes a monetary grant specifically intended to support a residency programme or professional training opportunity. Iain MacRae won this prize for his painting ‘Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman (2025)’.
MacRae said he was grateful to receive the award. “The support and recognition are especially meaningful at this stage of my practice, and I am inspired by the strength and generosity of the artistic community involved. Many of the previous winners of this prize are massive inspirations to me, so to share this with them is incredibly humbling.”
Stefan Langlois was recognised as the Emerging Artist Award Runner Up for his ‘Ode to Ten (2025)’ sculptural installation, which is on display at Gram Bellas in North Side.
Special commendations were extended to Nancy Barnard for ‘Our Built Heritage: Identity Loss (and Protection) and the Clayton Hixon House (2025)’; Andre Jennings for ‘Inner Thoughts (2025)’; Michael Mothen for ‘Fisherman’s Dream (2025)’; and Elizabeth Paige Smith for her installation at Gram Bellas called ‘Who Remains, (2025)’.
National Gallery Director Natalie Urquhart said: “Each iteration of the Cayman Islands Biennial serves as a vital platform for artists working across a range of contemporary art disciplines, ideas and approaches, inviting viewers to consider how art responds to both local realities and global dialogues. This year’s Bendel Hydes Awardees have sought to both honour our cultural heritage in their work while also embracing new ideas and experimental practices that speak to our evolving cultural identity.”
On 17 Feb., a ‘Catalogue Launch and Biennial Closing Event’ will be hosted at the National Gallery to launch a 160-page exhibition catalogue. The catalogue will be distributed to schools and libraries across the Cayman Islands.
‘Archipelago’ will remain on view until 18 Feb. Admission is free and the opening hours are from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
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