New National Gallery Exhibition – “Now and Then” Story updated: Oct 11 2012

Exhibition Run: Friday 12 October – Tuesday 11 December

In the fast moving world of modern Cayman, it is difficult to imagine a time when life moved at a slower pace. Yet such a life existed only a few short decades ago. ‘The Islands That Time Forgot’, as the American photojournalist David Douglas Duncan called our three tiny islands, weren’t on the world map until 1966, didn’t have a telephone until 1964, or a TV until 1977. Today, they are home to 50,000 people and have one of the most advanced banking economies in the world.

The National Gallery is delighted to present Now and Then, a new photography exhibition that illustrates this gigantic leap we have taken as a society.

The attached image is of Major Rodriguez “Roddy” Watler, father of iNews Cayman’s publisher, Joan Wilson. The image and artwork is courtesy of Courtney Platt, and original image courtesy of Cayman Free Press Steinmetz Collection.

Known as the “Forgotten Man” in Cayman Islands History because he was mysteriously left out of Cayman’s official history book of the Cayman Islands, Roddy Watler was born on 3 March, 1880, in Red Bay and passed away in April 1965 at the age of 85. He served as Inspector of Police for nearly thirty–three years, and was also Lighthouse Keeper, Foreman of Public Works, Boarding Officer of Vessels, and Warehouse Keeper. In 1942, he was appointed Officer in Charge of the Cayman Islands Company of the Jamaican Home Guard, a post he held until 1945 when the war ceased. In the 1932 hurricane he exhibited bravery in rescuing people who were marooned in Red Bay, and for this service he was awarded the King Edward VII Police Medal for Bravery. He was decorated with six other medals. He was given the title of “Major” by Sir Hugh Foot.

It was only persistence by Joan Wilson. Roddy Watler was featured at the end of last year in a commemorative stamp by the Cayman Islands Post Office.

The images in “Now and Then” illustrate the gigantic leap that we have taken as a society. Working with archival photographs from the Cayman Islands National Archive (CINA) and the Cayman Free Press Steinmetz Collection, photographer Courtney Platt has replicated  and digitally merged the past and present to provide a window into this bygone era.

Past and current landmarks, buildings, events and generations of people blend together in a surreal, and at times, haunting mixture of imagery.  They evoke a way of life that is rapidly becoming confined to memory and remind us of the importance of preserving our unique heritage before it is lost forever.

Standing at the precise spot where the renowned photographer Joseph Steinmetz had stood 52 years ago was a remarkable experience for Courtney.  “Still photos have always been about capturing a single moment in time.  We say they are worth a thousand words, but often they are worth much more.  Shear ‘gestalt’ has struck me repeatedly regarding the passage of time; the relevance of photography in recording history and the pros and cons of development.  Much has been gained, much has been lost.”

Seen collectively these works highlight our rapid development, reminding us of a way of life that is has been confined to memory and the importance of preserving our past while we embrace the future. “Our heritage is a free natural resource,” says exhibition sponsor and National Gallery Board Member Mrs. Susan A. Olde, MBE. “It offers stability and pride, and in so doing, strength to each one of us as it ties young and old together. During difficult times, it is my honour to be a part of the National Gallery’s ‘Now and Then‘ exhibition helping each Caymanian reminisce on what makes us such a unique, wonderful and strong country.”

About the Contributors

Courtney Platt (contemporary images and artwork)

An eclectic photographer living in Grand Cayman since 1983 and creating photos since 1976, Courtney  “specializes in everything” from events and weddings to fine art photography. Eight assignments done for National Geographic Magazine since 1987 have taught him a great deal about analyzing available light, how to augment it as necessary and the value of making that all come together precisely at “the Geographic Moment”.

Although photo finishing has evolved in the digital age to mean late nights at the computer, he finds gratification in the level of refinement that it makes possible to achieve in the final image.  It is remarkable to see the difference between what he produces now, with Nikon’s latest, greatest professional digital cameras and Photoshop vs. the film he started with over 30 years ago.  Courtney continually remains on the leading edge of technology in both hardware and software, ever learning and always pushing the envelope.

The Steinmetz Collection, Cayman Free Press (Select archival images)

The pictures from the Cayman Free Press archives were taken in 1950 by Joseph Janney Steinmetz, a world-renowned commercial photographer whose work has been referred to as “an American social history”. He visited The Cayman Islands in 1950 and took a series of photographs depicting life here.

Steinmetz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1905 and died in Sarasota, Florida in 1985. Steinmetz earned a degree in English from Princeton University. Following college, Steinmetz travelled  the world. In Egypt, he purchased his first professional camera in 1928. A chance encounter at a society event with Pete Marin, an editor for The Saturday Evening Post, led to Steinmetz’s first consistent work as a professional photographer. After moving to Sarasota, Florida in 1941, Steinmetz’s work appeared in numerous nationally distributed magazines.

Text provided by Cayman Free press

The Cayman Islands National Archive Collections (Select archival images)

CINA plays an essential role in documenting the evolution of Caymanian society by preserving and contributing to the individual and collective memory. As keeper of the nation’s memory, they provide three main services: public access to archival records, the acquisition and preservation of archival records and records management for Government records.

The historic holdings of the National Archive consists of records, archival materials (photographs and documents) and publications in various formats which document the history of the Cayman Islands and its way of life. The collections featured in Now and Then are:

·        C Bernard Lewis collection 1938

·        Ira Thompson collection c. 1940

·        Jack Cohen collection 1942

·        Ray Stride collection c. 1940

·        Everette Humphrey collections 1968 & 1973

·        Royal Commonwealth Society Expedition collection 1962

·        Marcia Bodden – Bush collection c. 1940s

·        Aarona Kohlman collection 1925-1928

Now and Then opens for public viewing on October 12^th and runs until December 11^th. For further information about the exhibition, supporting programmes or to book a school tour contact Elena at [email protected] or call (345) 945 8111.