Kent State University’s School of Art is proudly represented in the 4th Cayman Islands Biennial, Archipelago, through the significant curatorial roles of Associate Professor of Glass Davin Ebanks and Associate Professor of Art History Joseph L. Underwood, who were invited by the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands to co-curate the international exhibition.
Running Oct. 2, 2025, through Feb. 18, 2026, "Archipelago" spans multiple sites across the three Cayman Islands and explores themes of individuality and collectivity through the concept of an archipelago — a metaphor for islands existing as both distinct and interconnected entities.
For Ebanks and Underwood, the opportunity to co-curate "Archipelago" represents a natural extension of their decade-long collaboration and a synthesis of artistic and research practice.
“Creating a large-scale, complex exhibition like a biennial is both a research and creative practice,” Underwood said. “When this opportunity was extended to us, we knew it would be a challenge — but also a rewarding format for displaying our work as a practicing artist and an art historian.”
At Kent State, Ebanks is known for his glass practice exploring cultural identity and environment, while Underwood’s academic work in modern and contemporary African art and exhibition practices brings a global and diasporic perspective. Their curatorial partnership on Archipelago exemplifies how faculty expertise can operate on an international stage while directly enriching student learning at home.
“Art is constantly evolving, and it has to respond to the needs of our particular time,” Underwood said. “If faculty aren’t keeping a pulse on what’s happening in the world — conceptually, materially and culturally — it’s difficult to carry a relevant practice forward. Projects like this ensure that what we teach remains current and connected to real-world contexts.”
