Lifelong artist, Monte Thornton, lately has looked more inwardly to inform what he paints from keen observation. This introspection has been borne of a personal need to convalesce.
It has not been an easy road to recovery, but his daily research, studies and paintings have been a humongous help. American John Shedd once wrote, “A ship in harbour is safe; but that is not what ships are built for.”
The result of this intense focus – countless hours poring over archival footage, endless experimentation with a more fluid style and a broader palette and brave new creative choices – is Smooth Sailing. “This exhibition reads very much like a history book,” curator Kerwin G. Ebanks emphatically states. Numerous sketches and drawings accompany richly, but delicately, hued works that have in some cases been reimagined in new contexts. The works vary greatly in size and price points.”
Thornton says he has had to delve into his repertoire of skills developed over the last forty years going all the way back to his days studying ships in Galveston Bay in his native Texas. “The important thing, that very much like a ship, I’ve had to be looking forward at my destination. There were so many times while painting this series that I taught myself new skills and techniques rather than relying solely on what I already knew.”
Smooth Sailing will be open to the public from October 23 to December 30, aptly at the Cayman Islands Seafarers Hall. In addition to the work being featured in the hall itself there are large murals outside that Thornton has collaborated on.
The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association (CISA) advocates for retired seamen and their families’ rights and preserves their dignity partly by acknowledging their contributions to the development of the islands’ economy. Denniston Tibbetts, current president of CISA, feels that this exhibition “truly chronicles and recognizes the Caymanian way of life, as recently a generation ago, which is so easily overlooked and forgotten in today’s hustle and bustle. “
The artist is hosting an opening reception from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, October 22 at Cayman Islands Seafarers Hall in Prospect. Admission is free and complimentary drinks and canapes will be served. Please RSVP or make an appointment for private showing.