The National Gallery and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation – co-launch the new exhibition ‘Miss Lassie: An Intuitive Spirit’

The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (NGCI) and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) are proud to collaborate on a showcase of works by Gladwyn K. Bush – more commonly known as “Miss Lassie” – in celebration of the artist’s intuitive art practice. This exhibition presents a small selection of the 157 artworks manged by CNCF that comprise the ‘Gladwyn K. Bush Collection’. Formally a part of the wider National Collection, which is jointly overseen by the Islands’ three leading national cultural organisations, her works are held in trust by CNCF for the people of the Cayman Islands.

Following a ‘visionary experience’ at the age of sixty-two, Miss Lassie emblazoned everything in her home – from common household furnishings to traditional fine art materials – with a colourful blend of cultural and religious references, quickly becoming a respected figure within the field of intuitive art from across the Caribbean. Today, these works form part of the wider Gladwyn K. Bush estate, which includes her cottage – officially recognised on the World Heritage Watch List in 2012.

In the face of a rapidly changing physical and social landscape, Miss Lassie: An Intuitive Spirit celebrates the artist’s enduring legacy and the timeless teachings she imparted through her markings. Conveying powerful sentiments with a simplicity and directness of approach, the assortment of works on display illustrates the inherently autobiographical nature of her visual repertoire and reveal a life defined by emotional depth and spiritual truth. Celebrating the festive season and the passage of a new year, the featured artworks bear witness to the artist’s intuitive spirit and universal messages of hope and strength—looking to encourage communities coming together and inspire renewed optimism for the future.

This exhibition is one of several ways that CNCF and NGCI are collaborating to conserve, research and share the visionary work and memory of an artist who is considered a National Cultural Treasure. The project began in summer 2022 as part of a joint intern training programme and has been led by NGCI Interns Daniela Granados and Megan Arch, CNCF’s Summer Intern Sanaa Archer and NGCI Programme Assistant Sarah Needham.

Miss Lassie: An Intuitive Spirit is now open to the public and admission to the Gallery and the exhibition is free. Opening times are Monday to Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm. For more information about the exhibition and the related programme of free events, lectures, workshops and tours please email Maia Muttoo, Education Manager, at education@nationalgallery.org.ky or visit https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/whats-on/ .