Foots’ art faces more vandalism
Foots’ artwork, South Side, Cayman Brac
(CNS): Controversial artwork on Cayman Brac by resident artist Ronald “Foots” Kynes, which is displayed on property he owns on South Side Road, was vandalized yesterday for the second time this month. Police said that this time sculptures were severely damaged and appear to have been struck with a blunt instrument. “For people in the community to express their dissatisfaction this way is wrong,” said Inspector Tahal, the area commander for the Sister Islands.
“These incidents are being fully investigated. I am asking Brackers not to take matters into their own hands; to do so compromises the peaceful atmosphere of our island,” he added.
The police were called to Foots’ yard on Wednesday afternoon, where they photographed the damage and opened an investigation.
The latest assault on the local artist’s work comes against the backdrop of a petition that has been circulating on social media this week aimed at getting the work taken down and an escalating feud between the artist and his neighbours.
The petition currently has over 170 signatures and is calling for the police and governor to “ensure that there is adequate legislation and enforcement thereof, to protect the privacy, rights, reputations, and freedoms of everyone in our community, especially children, from obscene and offensive ‘public expressions’ that intentionally threaten Public Morality and Public Order, and are in breach of the Penal Code”.
The petition does not mention Foots by name or his work but give his home location, stating that they want “an end to the many years of abusive and offensive public outdoor ‘expressions’ that have been allowed” and cite the block and parcel number, because they say his work is visible.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call Cayman Brac Police Station on 948-0331. Anonymous tips can be provided to the RCIPS Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777, the Miami-based call centre of Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS), or online here.
To the person who compared Foots profane statues to Jesus (man) on the cross, shame on you. I pray God forgives your simple ignorance. That man on the cross, is God in the flesh who sacrificed himself for the love of you and was the price paid for your sins. It is also a reminder to take up our own crosses in life and follow Christ. That cross is what saved you from your sin and hell. Eternal Father, I offer you the body, blood, soul and divinity of your dearly Beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole word.
In regards to Foots, he is no Michelangelo. If he was truly an artist he would create things of beauty such as sculptures of angels or the manger of baby Jesus or the bean like in Chicago. That is something beautiful and to be admired and artistic. What his works now depict is his sick state of mind of profane and immoral sexual acts that does not encourage good in this world but perversion XXXX
Foots artwork symbolizes passion, unity and does not portray the grotesque image of an individual nailed to a cross.
You are so lost. The cross only depicts love, for it is the sacrifice of giving ones life for another for eternal life. That is love. Foots is garbage and should get booted off the island.
I’m sure Hitler thought the same thin wearing his fancy cross.
Ha ha take that cayman brac una got foots Cayman got Dart.
Foots. Your not in America or Canada. You are deep in third world. Don’t expect help from the Government of the police. Don’t piss of the natives or you will be covered in crap. Its not right but brother it is still third world.
Evidently your definition of “third world” means places that don’t condone a vulgar “anything goes” mentality, in particular as it relates to civil society. (Friend, do you drive a 60’s VW camper with a “If this van be a rockin’ don’t you be a knockin'” sticker on it by any chance?!) Look, sportsfan, whatever you’ve been smoking’s fried your loaf long time back – Woodstock’s over, man! Do us all a favour and stay in “America or Canada” until you’ve come to your senses, please. Thank you.
Vulgar, as in butt stuff on parade at Barabanoo. What exactly do you mean by vulgar? Really.
12.05 am – thanks for your enquiry. Please read my 9.35 am below. In light of it, I guess my best definition would have to be “vulgar” in this context means whatever the people of the Brac would consider it to be. Which, actually, is their right, and completely reasonable, surely?
You need to help your friends lift themselves out of the muck of blind bigotry. Give em a hand. Show them some movies of batabanoo and when they start to pleasure themselves point out the silliness of their views.
The Brac has police, clean food in supermarkets, desal plant for clean water, a hospital and more.
It is not the third world. People are educated and all have nice homes. You need to use another word other than third world. We are not Haiti!!! Ok! Just forget that. Cayman Brac has the highest standards in education and people are nice. Have you ever read a book or maybe you live in a small apartment and have never travelled to our lovely island.
Just because somewhere does not agree with your point of view does not make it third world. If Cayman Brac was really the third world foots and his art would have disappeared long ago.
Has any one who is fighting against this man art work ever been to Casanova’s? Please dnt cause I love that place and I wouldn’t ppl to try and shut it down cause they got floating naked babies on the ceiling….
Cassanova does not have two women engaged in intimate relations. The island does not approve of this idea and they have their rights to speak out. He has his art by the road so that is Crown land. Should he move it to his backyard? You tell me.
Correction, church-lady types with your cat-eye glasses disapprove of the art. Isnt that special.
Look at the ads for FLOW and you can see two, live, real women going at it. I’ve watched it 20 times.
His statutes are insulting and offending the religious modesty of the Cayman Islands?
What about:
Braccanal
Pirates Week
Batabano
What about the big Magnum van that I have seen driving around Grand Cayman Countless times adorned with a sexually suggestive photo of a woman
What about the countless statues of nude figures of all shapes and sizes that are in yards across the islands
If Foots’ statues have to be destroyed then I guess those same people are gonna vanadalize the Magnum Van and protest the multiple hedonistic events that take place throughout the islands every year.
Oh wait… Hypocrisy is your favorite pastime
Not surprised this is what the “Christians” on these Islands resort to,
shameful, if you don’t like the statues don’t look or report them to the authorities and use the proper channels to handle the situation like adults
Art is art, like it or not it has a meaning, I guess we better destroy the Statue of David by Michelangelo too cause I am offended by his nakedness
Hypocrites
The nakedness is not the issue Sherlock. The problem is the moral acts that it depicts. There is beauty in Michelangelo as it shows the human form. Now if a man was leaning over Michelangelo and giving him a blow job that would be a problem don’t you think! It is what is vulgar and offensive of his artwork the moral impurity and disgusting acts he depicts. If you not offended by that then perhaps human heads from Isis displayed as art will be accepted as the norm next. Where do you draw the line on morality and integrity because the world has become numb to having any form of integrity or morals or decency.
The public display of a man being tortured on a cross is no better. Cut the double standard bs or leave the man alone.
10 20
If you are trashing and persecuting churches by this convoluted reasoning of yours you are in sad shape. Jesus died on a cross for your sins. This is proven history and fact. Time here on earth will wind up so you and God had better get things straight before your date with death comes. We all have to give account to God so do so today.
BT
No one cares about your zombie jew story.
9 04
It is not a zombie Jew story. God sent Jesus to die for our sins. We are all sinners because of Adam. We have free will so everyone will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord when he comes back. Christ has come, he has risen and will come again. Dont you want to inherit eternal life? Its a free gift.
So did Jesus really die in this childrens story or did he just take a break for a few days?
I forgot these islands are a bastion of morality, oh wait… again
endless incest for generations
Braccanal
Pirates Week
Batabano
No one says a damn thing when during pirates week and batabano girls and women are rubbing up on each other but cause he has a statue of the same thing there is a problem.
you
are
a
fucking
hypocrite
Go to Rum point on a Sunday you’ll see just how moral these islands are, I guess its fine as long as it doesn’t offend your sense of morals
Don’t talk down to people about morals with your holier than thou bullshit, his statues make a statement and display the beauty in love and physical intimacy just because you don’t approve means nothing. He doesn’t need your permission to decorate his property however he sees fit
Well he can do so in his BACK garden and INSIDE his house! NOT in public view!
Then get people to stop getting drunk and play-fornicating in the streets where I have to encounter it.
Blimey, bet you’re breathing a bit easier having got all that off your chest! Clearly you are unaware of how distinct the Brac culture is and of how at least some of them regard Grand Cayman. I recall a Brac taxi driver in 1979 making it abundantly clear to my (Caymanian) wife and me that he regarded Grand Cayman as a veritable Sodom and Gomorrah. Imagine what he thinks today! But speaking of following the proper channels and removing statues, isn’t the approach being taken in the (“non-third world” – except for health care, of course) U.S.of even more of a shock to you?
Whoever is doing this you are doing it the wrong way.
I think his statues are envoking evil spirits. Satan is lerking around looking for someone to devour.
Prayer is the best weapon.
Christians! Please remember we too once loved darkness, but we are now washed and forgiven. Please have patience and pray for Mr. Foot.
Jesus died for us while we were yet still sinners.
Pray for Mr. Foot and the others so they will have a heart change and humble themselves and repent. We all have sinned against God. We need the “Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Or maybe kill a goat and drink a bottle of rum then go and do Gods work. Foots problem is like making a banana farm in the jungle and fighting with the monkeys. His art is not appreciated by the ignorant locals but he can’t get rid of them.
It’s foots way of protesting because he can’t get permission to build on the property
Finally the truth
I really wish that the person or persons starting the petition would speak to the real reason that it original started (I am not saying I disagree,I respect people who will take a stand in the face of adversity, but if you are going to stand for something I believe you should be 100% clear on your position). Perhaps some of the media that is reporting on this on going saga could get some more facts. This was never about the art/sculptures/gays its more about the “Wall of Shame” that bears the names and job titles of a number of individuals some of whom presently hold jobs within government, some of the pass and some are private business owners. Maybe some one can ask Mr. Foots why are these name there ? Lets all stop dancing around the sculptures and lets face the wall. Just my two cents cause in the words of Mr. Foots “my dog ain’t in this fight” ! To my people seek understanding, avoid destruction be it by vandalism or by words. This is our home do not allow us to be torn apart or lose who we are by the thoughts of an individual who I am sure believes he is only taking a stand for a purpose also so sure take a stand, stand together yes but lets do it the right way. #live&letlive#peace&love#bringbackrespect#thetruthisoutthere# More wrongs don’t make any of this right
Cut the brac off from the rest of grand cayman.
What a horrible mindset to have. The Sister Islands are part of this country, like it or not. There are Caymanian families born and raised over in the Brac, and for people like you to want to cut them off simply because they aren’t attached to Grand Cayman is repulsive. Sure, the economy isn’t booming over there, but because that is so, you expect every single person over there to uproot their homes and plant them in Grand? Or to just wither and die off? Are you stupid?! Love your neighbours and fellow Caymanians in the Sister Islands.
Alrighty then 10.06…how big was that spliff this morning?
10 O6
We hate Cayman. GC or whatever you call yourself. Cut us off? We were never a part of you and we dont need you. You are all run by Brackers and our brain power. Get off your high horse about the cut. Ok. What do you mean by this any way? We dont have to put up with your traffic and crime so great that we are way to the east of you. Hope we keep separated too. Not hateful just reality that we can take care of ourselves.
Debbie, did your father ever drive a taxi on the Brac in the seventies by any chance? Just curious!
Debbie, how are you so sure that the post at 10.06am was submitted by a fellow Caymanian. I doubt it. It is unfortunate though that you say that you hate ‘Cayman’, which means that you also hate Cayman Brac since it is also a part of ‘Cayman’ along with Grand cayman and Little Cayman.I would have thought that by now you would realize that the only people who believe that Brackers are not from “Cayman” are a few Brackers like yourself. I know of a certain young lady ( 21year old Civil servant) who insisted that she was not a Caymanian but a Bracker. So please stop encouraging this type of thinking and teach all your kids that indeed Cayman Brac is one of three Cayman Islands, and that when others speak of the Cayman Islands, The Caymans or just Cayman, they are indeed referring to the Territory made up of three islands. The only persons who refer to to Cayman Brac as not being a part of Cayman are certain Brackers and not persons from Grand Cayman or Little Cayman. And yes you are hating ; you said it in your very first line. Maybe you should have read over your comment before touching that “post” button.
1 20….I hate Grand Cayman. Many refer to it as GC or just Cayman.
Bet you hate the traffic, the crime and taking forever to get anything done. Ever try to find parking if you needed something done at a government office. I bet you hate Cayman too. Thank goodness for on line banking, cell phones and other technology. I am not sure that Brackers will ever have the problems that GC has. No my father is not and never has been a taxi driver. Sorry wrong lady but it’s ok to ask. No we are not and never will be a third world. We are generous and look out for family and neighbours.
I thought it was already ………. where’s me atlas?
My God – police wasting time on this. Caymanians must have found it offensive … this man must remember he is a guest – he needs to go NOW!!!!!!
As a Caymanian, I was taught that respect was one of the most important values of our people. You should NEVER condone someone destroying another person’s property, no matter if it offends you. If you have a complaint, you handle it like a civilised adult and go through the correct procedures to have your complaint heard.
Trespassing, damage to private property? In the USA any of these easily-offended violent provincial dinosaurs might face lethal force from a homeowner. 170 congregation signatures is hardly a windfall of moral authority. Glad to see the majority of Cayman are trying to adapt and evolve into a more peaceful tolerant contemporary reality – that can only be a good thing.
Pretty embarrassing stuff Cayman Brac. Is there really nothing else to do over there? Find a hobby (soldier crab races maybe?) and leave Foots alone.
Boy, Foots is really bringing ’em out of the caves. You go Foots! Err, I mean stay and keep up production. Hope they catch them cave men/women that are beating down your work!
I have been on the side of the petitioners; the “artwork” is offensive. When he sited specific individuals it was libellous. BUT, until the courts deem it illegal, he has the rite to exhibit. Vandalism ticks me off and makes me think twice about signing.
I always thought the Brac was a live and let live atmosphere. It’s pathetic to hear that people can be so triggered over a bit of art work.
I’m sure those persons who have no regard for other peoples property also have no regard for their own life. Keep doing you Foots and let natural selection take its course.
It’s not art it is filth !,
Take away another persons rights and you become that which people can’t live with. And in this day and age they shouldn’t have to. Find them, lock them up. Take away their right to live with humanity.
Says you. No doubt The same views were raised over any number of artworks over the years now viewed as great art. If you don’t like it don’t look at it, or even better, criticize it based on quality. It’s not as if in the current age We are not exposed to far more graphic depictions on the internet. If you say it should be banned because it offends your values and you are worried about the impact on others you are wasting your time. Say it’s s&@ art. That will bite more with Foots and make you seem like a modern individual instead of a disconnected dinosaur.
Most Brackers find the signs that surround the “art” more offense than the sculptures. It is amazing that the personal attacks on the surrounding signs are not being reported on. Anyone else posting 4×8 foot signs attacking everyone from the governor on down would have been run out of the islands long ago.
I totally agree with your comment (9:35pm). When Planning denied his application, because his property is too narrow to build on, he wrote all their employees names on the Nazi board. Same thing when he had an issue with Immigration. Now he has the name of an employee from Social Services along with the Governor and RCIPS. The artist’s problem is that he does not feel that the same laws that govern every citizen of the Cayman Islands govern him. He feels that he is entitled. Brackers should all post their own boards in their front yards with his name on it as Cayman Brac’s biggest nuisance.
Its really sad that this whole thing isn’t about art or supporting a group, its about his love of conflict, bullying and money.
And that’s why the art work has been vandalized not the signs? Right. I know it’s a bit embarrassing to be considered a group that is so insular and hostile to modern ideas that you would vandalize art work but own it instead of trying to claim that the guy has brought it on himself. Bottom line – whoever did this broke the law. If they felt he had broken the law in the first place then fine, they should let he arrest and any prosecution take its course. This is just mob justice.
At what costs to the community? I do not condone violence or damage to ones property. However Mr foots is a guest in this country and out of respect, he should respect the community moral beliefs. If he doesn’t like, he can always find a new home that accepts and appreciates his type of art works. The world is a big place and there are islands and countries that would embrace him and his artworks. When in Rome do like the romans.
I agree, why is it that people think it is within their rights to relocate to another person’s country/island and expect that the residence of that place must accept whatever they dish out? Remember it is their home and way of living, if they are too backward or narrow minded for you, well just leave them be and go elsewhere where your lifestyle/morals are appreciated. You won’t confirm to their way of living, so why try and force them to confirm to yours. Only in the Cayman Islands are the native people expected to accept any and every kind of treatment dished out, by people they have opening their doors to.
Stop selling land to every cat and dog who comes along with money. We are all seeing the results of selling. They are ripping up the iron shore and destroying what our great grand parents preserved for us over the years. Money blinds perseverance. These are the results of greed by many young destroy our way of live. Have we learnt something along the narrow pathway?
He is not a guest HE IS CAYMANIAN. How he became Caymanian is irrelevant – the fact is this is now his home and he can stay as long as he wants. If you don’t like his work don’t go to his property to look at it. If you are driving past his property on the South Side it is impossible to see what his art work is depicting IMPOSSIBLE. So the only way you would know what is on display is if you stop at his property and go there to specifically view his art work. Why then if you find it so offensive, especially to your pure little children, are you taking them there to view these pieces – why are you exposing them to such. Leave this man and his art alone. There are far more important things that you could and should be addressing in the Brac community
While you are busy misleading about the visibility of the sculptures please explain if the large signs being used in an attempt to shame everyone foots can think of are visible from the street or not.
The signs and the artwork are visible but if you drive past you cannot I repeat cannot read the signs nor are you able to figure out what the statues are depicting. The only way to know what is written on the signs and to figure out what the statues really are is to go on to the mans property to view them. Stay off his property if you do not like his art work.
Wrong. The statues are about two feet from the road facing the road. A blind man in China can see them and the signs.
Virtually every Caymanian who moved to the US and became citizens tried to respect their adopted country and it’s citizens. Anyone who has been given the privilege to become Caymanian should be expected to do likewise.
Well said, sir/madam. Well said.
Then he should respect the people he has gone to live among. Do not ever accept his filth. Respect begets respect.
You tell it like it is 1:47. Brackas have always been law abiding citizens. We respect our Queen and the Hon Gov Her Excellency sent to us by the Crown. We expect Mr. Foots to be respectful and have no appearance of disdain for us and we expect him to live quietly amongst us. He has crossed a line and the trust will be hard to get back and repair. He needs to move his stuff to the back yard because Brackers are a tough set and will not back down.
Blimey, mate, you serious about the groovy “bit of art work” thing? Not wishing to come across as at all square, but it seems you are a tad out of touch with reality, sportsfan.