Annielee Ebanks

This hybrid bag blends traditional silver thatch work with a bold, commercially styled canvas overlay. The decorative panel features palm trees, a sunset, and a water-skier in a bikini under the text “Friendly Island” imagery clearly shaped by tourist-facing aesthetics. Beneath the surface charm lies a more layered story about how Caymanian craft has adapted to meet changing markets.

Born in Cayman Brac, Annielee Ebanks (also spelled Annalee) learned thatching from her father and went on to become a teacher and advocate for preserving traditional techniques. Her work is held in several national collections, and she was honoured with a CNCF Heritage Award in 2002.

This piece highlights how Caymanian makers have incorporated outside influences and commercial appeal into their work. Rather than diminishing its authenticity, this fusion invites reflection: how do craft traditions survive and even thrive within the demands of tourism, trade, and shifting cultural identity?

Biography adapted from National Gallery of the Cayman Islands website: https://www.nationalgallery.org.ky/artist/annalee-ebanks/