We’re excited to introduce our new Museum Director, Dr. Veerle Poupeye! To help you get to know the person behind the role, we sat down with Dr. Poupeye for a quick Q&A. Here are some of her answers:
What inspired you to pursue a career in museums and cultural preservation?
I grew up going to museums. I was born in the city of Brugge (Bruges) in Belgium, which is itself a museum—a well-preserved late medieval city and home to more than 30 museums. On Sundays, admission to the city museums was free for locals, and my parents and grandparents often took us on visits, followed, of course, by ice cream or pancakes. My parents traveled extensively with us during the summer holidays, and museum visits were always part of the itinerary.
I must have been nine years old when I first visited the Louvre (although I notoriously cried on that occasion, as I had had enough of the enormous museum after a few hours). A key moment for me came in my mid-teens when we visited the Uffizi Museum in Florence. Seeing Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera and The Birth of Venus, along with other Italian Renaissance paintings, was life-changing. I was dumbstruck by their sublime beauty, which played an important role in my decision to study art history.
Museums were a normal part of my life from early on. When I moved to the Caribbean in 1984, I became more aware of the social role of museums and the arts, and their importance in fostering collective and individual identities. This motivated me even further to work in this field. I have not looked back since.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
That would be Toussaint Louverture, the initial leader of the Haitian Revolution—a former slave who was a man of letters, a diplomat, and a brilliant military strategist. His legacy continues to inspire intellectuals, freedom fighters, and social activists in the Caribbean region and beyond.
I would love to hear his thoughts on freedom, race, gender, human rights, and social change, as well as how he viewed the challenging world he lived in and his ability—and responsibility—to transform it for the better. The Haitian Revolution is crucial to how we think about such issues in the postcolonial world today, and Toussaint is one of the most fascinating and influential figures in Caribbean and world history.
What’s one exhibit or artefact at the museum that holds special meaning for you?
I am just beginning to delve into the museum’s collections, so it is early days for me to answer that question. However, I am quite taken with the Leila Ross Shier exhibition. The exhibit is well done, and her story speaks to so many themes, including the unique history of women in the Cayman Islands, love of country, resilience and social activism, women’s rights, the importance of education, and, of course, music.
What do you hope visitors take away from their experience at the Museum?
I hope visitors are inspired to think about and gain a better understanding of Cayman’s unique history, natural history, culture, and identity—and their own relationship with that heritage, whether they are local residents, expatriates, or tourists. I hope their experience sparks curiosity about the world they live in and encourages them to come back to us regularly (and visit other museums when they travel).
As a museum professional, I also hope visitors feel empowered in this process. A good museum is not a dull repository for objects but a forum for ideas, information, and critical insights—a place of discovery and engagement. I hope we are offering that now and intend to provide even more of it going forward.
If you could bring any artefact or exhibit from around the world to the Museum, what would it be?
I would choose the Cantino Planisphere, a large manuscript world map from 1502 housed in the Biblioteca Estense in Modena, Italy. It was smuggled from Portugal to Italy for the Duke of Ferrara in an espionage story worthy of a film, illustrating the intense rivalries between European powers during the early years of colonial exploration.
Interestingly, while it was produced the year before the Cayman Islands were first sighted by Columbus, it features three small islands west of Jamaica that could well be the Cayman Islands. This suggests that the story and timeline of the “discoveries” were far more complicated than Columbus’ self-serving narrative suggests.
How do you envision the Museum growing in the next 5 years?
I foresee major, inspired developments over the next five years, including:
New sites in addition to the current one (which is a national treasure in itself).
A very active, innovative, and diverse exhibitions program (and we have some exciting exhibitions in store!).
More active use of the collection in exhibitions and programs.
New education and public engagement programs.
A state-of-the-art conservation lab to properly care for our collection.
A new publication series on Cayman history and culture, including a book on the Museum’s collection.
More programs for children and young people.
Expanded use of technology, including immersive displays.
Greater visibility for the Museum and a presence in public life beyond its walls.
All of this will require robust funding support and additional staff. Fundraising will be a major focus. Come January, we will be able to make some significant announcements about our future plans.
Describe the museum in three words!
A national treasure
And lastly, what’s your go-to place for inspiration?
Museums and art galleries, of course!
Comments