Established artist Lorna Reid and emerging artist Kerwin Ebanks are holding the opening of their art exhibition Seasoned at the new Vid Boutaie Lounge on Mary Street on Thursday, 18 November.
All artwork displayed will be for sale and the exhibitors are showing six pieces each. Although the show will mainly feature paintings, Ms Reid will probably exhibit a sculpture or two as well. The opening night will also feature the soulful sounds of local musician Harmony Sott, a regular performer at the venue’s sister location, The Rooftop Lounge, on the third floor.
The show marks the first time an art exhibit has been held at the trendy wine bar, which boasts panoramic views of George Town, and the owners are keen to host others.
Mr. Ebanks, a teacher, and Ms Reid,a programmes coordinator with the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, first crossed paths when Ms Reid taught Mr. Ebanks at high school.
The pair decided to hold a joint exhibit following Mr. Ebanks’ decision earlier this year to push ahead with his long-delayed re-entry into the local arts scene. As he pursued that goal, with Ms Reid as mentor, she was inspired to take up her own neglected arts skills. Dialogue on exhibiting together naturally followed, more or less as a celebration of the creative bond between the two artists.
The show’s title, Seasoned, taken here to mean made fit by trial and experience, was decided on while they were brainstorming ideas.
Working alongside each other and critiquing and encouraging each other’s work, the artists have nevertheless retained their own distinctive styles to produce work with the over-arching premise of exploring life experiences, particularly in the context of Cayman.
“It has been a blessing to return to my alma mater and, just like in her art class, to be groomed in the profession as a teacher by Lorna,” said Mr. Ebanks. “When I decided to take up painting seriously this year, it seemed only natural that she would push me and offer advice constantly. It has been my goal to showcase a repertoire of skills garnered through my training – formal and informal – all centered on Caymanians doing Caymanian things. It is a great honour for Lorna to even consider exhibiting with me, but comes as no surprise for such is the heart of an educator like her.”
copy courtesy of the Cayman Compass