For the month of October, the Rick Faries Gallery featured Keeping Calm, a selection of botanical and interior paintings by Louisa Bermingham.
As a mother and an art teacher, Louisa Bermingham’s artwork is "an escape from an increasingly intense world of demands and pressures and injustices by being happy and calm via simple exploration of texture, light, colour, pattern and line." Bermingham is interested in drawing with paint, pushing her internal constraint of perspective and form representation. She intentionally limits the time in which she creates images as a way of capturing immediacy with her mark-making. The pressures of the world play on her time, interestingly insisting that she create manageable presentations of wonderful things, that also give pause for rest.
Keeping Calm opened on September 29, and was on view until October 24, 2023.
By focusing on the theme of transformation, local artists worked to convey honest representations of the journey of recovery and growth. The exhibition aimed to inspire hope for those battling addiction, letting them know that recovery is possible and that there is a supportive community ready to help. As well, it allowed artists and the community to come together, contribute their skills, and collectively support a meaningful cause.
Executive Director of Focus Counselling Services, Leslie Grant, explained “I am excited by our collaboration with the arts community for our upcoming art exhibition fundraiser. We firmly believe that art possesses a unique and transformative power that can drive positive change, and we are thrilled to harness this creative energy for a cause as essential as addiction treatment services. Through this collaboration, we aimed to create a platform where artists, painters, sculptors, and photographers can unite their talents to inspire hope and raise awareness about addiction and recovery. Each artwork has shared a profound story of transformation, reflecting the resilience and strength that lies within those on their journey to healing. By engaging with the arts community, we created a powerful synergy that not only generated vital funds for our addiction treatment services but also fostered a sense of empathy and understanding among attendees. Together, we hope we helped to further shatter the stigma surrounding addiction, promote dialogue, and make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals seeking support and treatment.”
Funds raised from the auction and exhibition were directed towards a comprehensive range of services, including outpatient treatment, residential treatment, and sober living, as well as support to cover the costs of the everyday operations of the organization.
The exhibition would be nothing without the support of the community explained Grant. He shared, “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the artists, volunteers, and supporters who are making this collaboration possible. Our shared commitment to compassion, creativity, and community was the driving force behind this event's success. I'm happy to say that we came together to ignite positive transformations, healing, and hope within the lives of those affected by addiction."
Celebrating 2nd Chances opened on Friday August 25, from 5:30-7:30pm and was available to view until September 22 in the Rick Faries Gallery. For more information about Focus’ services or to make a donation, please visit www.focus.bm or call 296-2196.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please don't hesitate to reach out to Focus Counselling Services. They are here to provide the compassionate care and support you need to start your journey to recovery.
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“One of the goals of the Committee has been to establish a museum. We are not there yet however, partnering with Masterworks provided us an opportunity to showcase what we have learned and how we have grown,” stated Committee Chairman, Terlena Murphy.
For the past twenty years, the bi-annual powwow has been a successful way the St. David’s Islanders and Native Community has been able to share our culture with the wider community. The last powwow in June (2023) was the first time the Committee had reconnected with their native cousins after a five-year gap, mainly due to the Covid pandemic.
The Committee exhibited a rare display of artefacts symbolic of their past and present heritage. Visitors were able to see and learn about ceremonial practices and elements of tradition while also observe the progression of the committee throughout the years.
The exhibition opened with a very special and unique reception, featuring a performance by some of the women from the Committee on July 28 from 5:30 - 7pm and was on view until August 22.
Press:
Bernews - Masterworks Exhibition: 'Then And Now'
Connect with the St. David's Islanders and Native Community via their Facebook Page
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June 30 – July 25, 2023
The 7th Annual Mirrors Student Art and Digital Competition took place in July of this year. The Mirrors Programme asked young artists to submit artworks in response to the theme “My Happy Place.”
There was once again People’s Choice Awards voting, and Masterworks invited the public to come view the exhibition, displayed in the Rick Faries Gallery, and cast their vote for their favourite work of art.
There will be an Awards Ceremony to follow in September 2023, where all the winners will be announced.
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Jordan Carey is a Bermudian designer and artist currently based in Portland, Maine. Marginalization and mundanity through textiles, fashion, and lifestyle objects are the central focus of Carey’s fashion brand, Loquat, founded in 2020. His work was initially inspired by the quiet and omnipresent Eurocentrism many immigrants face when initially moving to the United States from communities where they are not considered to be a minority.
Carey graduated from the Maine College of Art & Design in 2019 with a Fashion & Textile Design degree. He returned to his alma mater in 2023 to serve on the board of trustees. After Graduating, Carey worked as assistant designer for Maine-based fashion company Jill McGowan until opening the Loquat Flagship store in Portland’s OldPort in May 2022.
Referencing the body of work at the centre of this Residency, Carey explained:
‘Recently I have been using traditional Bermuda kite-making to explore fragility, community, and heritage. The need to connect with these topics in a way that is close to home but honest and critical feels more urgent all the time. The delicate nature of the kite forces me to maintain awareness of my own brutish and temporary existence within the elusive power structures responsible for colonial and environmental disasters.’
Masterworks hosted an Artist Talk with Jordan Carey on Tuesday, June 13 from 5:30 – 7pm. It was a wonderful turnout where Jordan spoke on his craft, being an entrepreneur, and his artist residency at the Museum.
Jordan brought a host of expertise not only as an artist, but as a designer and entrepreneur through his brand. During his stay in Bermuda, he brought these skills to the community through a series of workshops at the Museum, including indigo dyeing, sewing and bookbinding. He also partnered with Bermuda is Love to offer a free workshop on upcylcing.
In the indigo dyeing workshop, students learned about the 6,000-year-old practice. The afternoon began with a brief history of indigo, followed by a dying demonstration and then designing tote bags and shirts. The resist-dyeing methods of folding, tying, and wax batik were used to create one-of-kind items.
The sewing workshop taught students modern sewing techniques. Three difficulty levels were offered so everyone began where they felt comfortable, and were able to grow with the individual attention that was needed. The take home items included an oven mitt, a pot holder, a bucket hat, a knot bag, a tote bag or a tea towel.
The bookbinding workshop led students through the basics of decorative coptic bookbinding and coached them through creating a book from scratch.
The upclycling workshop with Bermuda is Love asked students to bring old, or well-loved clothes or materials that could be repurposed to create something new to take home. Loquat Shop provided some materials that could be used as well.
Same World, opened on Friday June 2 with a reception from 5:30-7pm in the Rick Faries Gallery, and was on view until 12pm, Tuesday, June 27.
Press:
https://bernews.com/2023/06/jordan-carey-exhibition-and-upcoming-events/
]]>"TALK ( to yourself )" an exhibition by Bermudian contemporary artist James Cooper, which transformed the Rick Faries Gallery with large sculptural works.
For the past decade James Coopers’ work has been featured widely outside of Bermuda. Notable highlights include exhibitions at the Jamaica National Gallery, The New York Photo Festival, The National Gallery of the Bahamas, the Toronto Photography Festival, as well as numerous gallery shows in Italy, South Africa, London, NewYork, Trinidad, Haiti, and Norway. His work has been featured in several books about Contemporary Caribbean Art, most recently in the 2019 publication ‘A-Z of Caribbean Art’ by Archer and Brown, where he is described as being “driven by a highly aesthetic creative language of impact, impulse, visual effect and pleasure".
Artist Statement:
“I am inspired by everything I encounter, but I am a minimalist at heart. I always seem to want to reduce the complexities I experience to a simple abstracted form. With this group of sculptures I am primarily driven by textures and colours in order to evoke an overall feeling as opposed to a thought. By addressing sensations in this way I am intentionally creating a relaxed, playful aesthetic. While the individual objects in the room are obviously important in their own right, I am equally as focused on the overall atmosphere they create. By ‘unfocusing’ our minds I feel we can get a rich sense of where we are from that supersedes the literal and political.”
The exhibition ran from Friday, May 5 to Tuesday, May 30. There was a members-only artist reception held at Masterworks Museum on Friday, May 12 from 5:30 – 8pm, where guests had the chance to meet the artist and experience the exhibition.
Press:
https://www.royalgazette.com/arts-entertainment/lifestyle/article/20230523/james-embraces-kitsch-in-new-masterworks-show/
]]>Nathaniel Binega-Northcott (@hooddvogue) is a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and visual artist. Under his alias “hooddvogue”, he creates site-specific installations for viewers and wearable art pieces, such as his “Art Dealer” hats. While his practice is wide-ranging, the body of work displayed in this exhibition features mostly his paintings and drawings. Through his visual platform, he intends to show “a personal history” that he, and hopefully viewers can use to look back on and learn from.
As an artist who spent his formative years in New York City, Nikkie Richardson’s (@nu.cents) work reflects the diverse cultural landscape that surrounded him. As a music producer, graphic designer, and photographer, he strives to create works that engage and inspire his audience in different ways. During his time studying in the city, he credits a constant exposure to a wide range of sights and sounds to have greatly influenced his artistic vision. His keen sense of observation and love for capturing the beauty and diversity of his surroundings has led him to explore various mediums of art, including photography and music. His photography focuses on capturing subjects in their natural element, whether it's the candidness of their personality or the subtle yet very present essence of their vanity. Through the lens, he strives to convey the emotions and stories that are often hidden in plain sight. He explains that through his work he “aims to connect with the audience on a deeper level, by offering an immersive and engaging experience that stimulates both their senses and their intellect. I am constantly learning and evolving as an artist, and I look forward to sharing my journey with viewers.”
Yassine Chentouf (@yassine_the.artist) is a Bermudian artist and has been producing art in various forms as a musician, model, photographer, painter, and more. Since the pandemic, he has had an extremely productive presence on social media, producing campaigns like Photoshoot Friday. Within his work, he focuses on uplifting Bermudian stories and voices, and providing a space for people to celebrate themselves. This show heavily features an abstract style he's been developing over the last few years.
Dion Easton (@dionthecreative) is a filmmaker and photographer, who specializes in capturing unique moments through video and photo. A son of the soil, he is well versed in many filmmaking and photography niches such as culture, sport, travel, interviews, documentary, and lifestyle. His eye for naturally documenting moments has afforded him the opportunity to work with local clients such as Bacardi Ltd. and Bermuda Tourism Authority. One of his most recent projects involved travelling with, and capturing content for, one of Bermuda's top elite athletes, Adrian Roach. Some of these images are to be featured in this exhibition.
Exhibitions Officer, Jasmine Lee, shared her excitement for the show explaining, “Our 441 exhibition is always a unique exhibition and one the team especially looks forward to. Each artist and group of artists over the years have brought new materials, new practices and new viewpoints, and this year is no different. Yassine, Dion, Nathaniel, and Nikkie, individually and collectively, have so much to share to truly bring a fresh take to art inspired by our community and our island.”
441 opened Friday, March 31 and was on view until April 25, 2023.
Press:
https://bernews.com/2023/03/441-exhibition-at-masterworks-opens-friday/
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Sean Collier, Founder and Creative Director of Cosmic, explains, “We are so incredibly grateful for the last 20 years of business, of which our loyal clients are such a huge part. We want to take this opportunity to share our craft with people around us so that they can walk away from this show knowing a little more about what graphic designers do, how we operate as an agency, and how influential graphic design and branding is in our everyday lives.
In the showcase, viewers had the opportunity to grasp the inner workings of the graphic design process from start to finish. Part of the exhibition demonstrated the formulation of a creative brief, pioneering the design elements which help designers to build brands, and explained the importance of consistent branding in relation to a successful business.
In addition to the educational portion, there was a showreel showcasing a large collection of the work Cosmic has done as a reflection of the past 20 years, alongside a wall of large-scale digital art. The art consisted of a combination of photography, graphics, and typography to create a series of designs which will be available for purchase.
The title of the exhibition represented the artists eye for design and how the work is done to organise information to enhance the final product. Collier adds “It was important to us as a team to be able to both educate museum guests about the concept of graphic design and branding, as well as showcase our team’s expertise and creativity, to hopefully enlighten the public that graphic design is so much more than what often comes to mind.”
Eye for I was open in the Rick Faries Gallery, at Masterworks Museum, from Friday, March 10th through March 28th.
]]>A Burst of Joy was a celebration of both a special birthday of the artist, who turned 90 during his show, and of a long path as an artist, one that spanned through part of World War II, and also the transition of Bermuda from a society of structural racism to an open society where everyone regardless of colour could be a participant in all levels of Government, and areas of community life. For Mr. Seymour, who was drawn to the world of art while a student at Central School, now Victor Scott Primary, it was a fascinating journey to the show.
During his Central School days, Mr. Seymour recalled how “because of a raging world war, life was tough for everyone with major shortages of just about everything including food, clothing and even school supplies.” The school principal at that time Mr. Scott was a giant in teaching life values for difficult times. He often stressed the importance of reading which he said, “opened doors to knowledge about the world we live in,” a lesson that has stayed with Mr. Seymour.
Often with only a pencil to work with during his early days, Mr. Seymour said he spent “many hours sketching images of ships, planes and soldiers which were on the back of cereal boxes to boost public morale in a war that affected so many lives worldwide.” Although he later had a career that included teaching art and newspaper and broadcast journalism, he still attributes his early experiences to never losing his love for art, explaining, “most artists know the art world is a never-ending venture but the joy of it all is worth every minute with the brush.”
Mr. Seymour created 30 new original works for A Burst of Joy, which capture a wide expanse of Bermuda scenes. A spokesperson for the Museum explained, “we are delighted to join in celebrating Mr. Seymour’s 90th year, and his longstanding talent as one of our treasured local artists. This show not only showcases Mr. Seymour’s talent but is also a great reminder of the joy that artists, and art bring to the community.”
A Burst of Joy opened on Friday, February 10, and was on view until March 7, 2023.
]]>Chasing the Light, showcased in the Rick Faries Gallery, featured works by Eli Cedrone. Speaking to her vision for the exhibition, Cedrone shared the following quote, "As a painter, the urge to capture and hold onto a memory of light is always present."
]]>Eli Cedrone is a graduate of the School of Art & Design at Suffolk University, Boston. In the summer of 1983 she studied in Florence, Italy which provided an Academic foundation (meaning, a style of painting and sculpture produced under the influence of European academies of art). Cedrone also attended the Museum of Fine Arts School and the Academy of Figurative Art Boston. An enormous influence on her work began with an introduction to the Alla Prima method of painting with Richard Schmid, who is considered one of the greatest American realist painters.
Chasing the Light showcases the beauty and skill of Cedrone’s ‘Plein Air’ painting. Of her commitment and passion for painting ‘en plein air’, she explains -
“When I paint, all of my senses are involved but learning to “see” is a skill one must develop. Painting en plein air (a French term meaning "in open air") requires stamina and discipline. It forces us to leave the comfort of the studio and to observe the natural world first hand. For me the grand tradition of painting outdoors began with my exposure to the art colonies of Provincetown and Cape Ann, MA. The immediacy of painting from nature is inspiring but the idea must be firmly planted in my mind. I often write down what the painting is about and make small, value studies (the breaking down of subject matter into a series of different tones). More complex ideas require a lot of sketches and evolve over time. My idea is based on the vision of what’s before me or the mood I’m trying to create. The flow of light through a room, abstract shapes, texture, and paint handling all come into play. Painting is a process of discovery and decision making where disparate elements pull together until the image is clearly expressed.”
From vivid seascapes to studies of fishermen at work, and familiar feeling backyards, the works in this exhibition bring a sense of ease and comfort, while capturing the beauty found across the island. A spokesperson for the Museum explained, “Eli’s work is a vibrant start to the 2023 series of exhibitions in the Rick Faries Gallery. She has captured many familiar viewpoints, and familiar places, that I think we all share varied memories within. This show is a great reminder of the joy of living on the island, often found in the environment around us.”
Chasing the Light opens on Thursday December 1, 2022, from 5:30 to 7pm, and will be on view until February 7, 2023. The Masterworks Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Artist Statement:
"I've always been influenced by the power of images to express ideas and emotions. Painting is a process of discovery and decision making where disparate elements pull together until the image is clearly expressed. Ultimately my concerns are with the expressive qualities of light captured with paint. My goal as a painter is descriptive precision, balanced with an immediacy of expression.
Bermuda captured my heart the moment I flew over her azure waters in the early 1970’s and has held me in a magical embrace ever since. I believe that when you act from passion and follow your bliss, providence steps in. After countless adventures and living everywhere from California to Cannes, I was invited to be Artist in Residence at Masterworks Museum of Art Bermuda. The residency allowed me to paint uninterrupted for three months, and in so doing, I discovered continuity. To paint every day without distraction and to revisit the same scene, made a big difference in my process.
Bermuda offers a rich visual history… stunningly beautiful, so colorful and full of texture. To be surrounded by the sea has been a big factor in my choice of subject matter, but I think that as artists, we’re meant to be astute documentarians of the world around us. The depiction of an everyday moment in time is very appealing to me. Inspiration can be found everywhere if you know how to see.
Historically Bermuda has been a popular plein air destination. During the 19th century, the traditions of the English landscape painters. John Constable, with his lush and evocative landscapes, became the model for many. Later, internationally known artists such as Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, Charles Demuth, Marsden Hartley, Charles Hawthorne and Ogden Pleissner, all painted Bermudian scenes. I’m honored to be a part of this enduring tradition."
Press:
https://bernews.com/2023/01/opening-chasing-light-january-13/
https://www.royalgazette.com/entertainment/news/article/20230210/inspired-by-bermudas-light/
]]>Liana Nanang is a multidisciplinary storyteller with Black-Bermudian, indigenous Iban-Malaysian and Scottish heritage. Her work as a writer, sculptor, painter, and performer navigates race, nationality, trauma, resilience, spirituality, neurodivergence, and colonialism. Liana has exhibited artwork at Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art in the ‘Charman Prize’ (2019, 2021), where she won the prize for Best Use of Materials (2021) and in the Bermuda Society of Arts ‘Exhibition on Emancipation’ (2020). She is currently exhibiting visual art and poetry in the Bermuda National Gallery Biennial (2022).
For Taking Shape, Nanang explains she has created ceramic sculptures that, “explore resilience and resistance as ancestral memory. Inspired by the stories of my people in Bermuda, Borneo and Africa, my sculptures represent the shared narratives and practices of indigenous ways that were nearly annihilated through British colonialism. My work is a celebration of the indomitability of spirit, and the love that transcends generations.”
Zoe Dyson is a Bermudian artist and educator, currently teaching at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich, CT, in the Engineering and Design Lab. Her passion for digital design has evolved into more sculptural work by virtue of this teaching space and the resources available. Always creating digital art, she experiments by bringing these designs into 3D space through methods like fabric printing.
Of the work created for Taking Shape, Dyson explains, “the work created for this show is an assortment of projects that each began as an idea for a class lesson plan: press-fit boxes, 3D prints, renderings on the AxiDraw and 2D images transformed into 3D with slotted forms, for example. With this particular collection of work, my goal is to share some of the possibilities for creating with modern technology.”
Stratton Hatfield is an artist, designer, social activist, and sustainability leader. Stratton has been making art since childhood and has been involved with creating various art forms throughout his academic and professional career. Since 2011, he has used endemic and invasive plants to fabricate concrete cast sculptures in a process he calls YART. The fossilized pieces of flora are made to evolve over time as they interact with elements in outdoor and indoor spaces.
For Hatfield, “I am honoured to be showcasing my work alongside these other incredible sculptors and for Masterworks to have approached us to host a show for sculpture artists. This collection of work is an ode to Bermuda’s organic beauty and explores the permanence and impermanence of natural things that exist around us. This work attempts to preserve the beauty found in our environment solidifying the geometry and patterns found in flora throughout the island. ”
Scott King is a self-taught sculptor, who works with ivory, cedar, and stone. In recent years, his primary choice being marble. He has exhibited at the Masterworks Museum of Art, in the Charman Prize since 2012, and at the Bermuda Society of Arts, with varied sculptural subjects, from animals, to figures, vessels and abstract forms. Speaking to his love, and commitment to sculpture as a medium, King notes, “There are certain curves I have loved all my artistic life…. whether I was working in ivory, cedar, or stone. They just feel right, and calm. Touching them adds a dimension not always available in other mediums. My hope for my work is that you will simply enjoy it, and let your own emotions shape the stories they represent.”
Taking Shape promises to showcase the beauty and possibility of sculpture. 3D printed assemblages, ceramic, concrete cast, and marble sculptures are only a short summary of what the public can expect to see, and support, with many of the works by these talented artists available for purchase.
Press:
https://bernews.com/2022/11/special-talk-local-artists-masterworks/
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The Masterworks Museum was pleased to welcome artist Nhuri Bashir this past November for his first solo show, ‘Colour Negative’.
Nhuri Bashir is a self-taught photographer and co-founder of Burnt House Productions, a Bermuda-based advertising agency. He has become a frontrunner in lifestyle photography – both film and digital – and videography.
‘Colour Negative’ opened in the Masterworks Museum Rick Faries Gallery, Friday, November 4th and was on exhibit until Tuesday November 29th, 2022.
The Masterworks Museum was pleased to welcome artist Jahbarri Wilson (known artistically as 'iusecnre') for his first solo show, All Play is Spiritual. Known for his vivid and intuitive works, both on and off the canvas, Wilson has shown in group shows at Masterworks, the BSoA and most recently in the BNG Biennial.
All Play is Spiritual was described as "an immersive experience" that Wilson explained in a recent Artist Round Table (click here to view the full conversation), that would involve, "beings taking over the space with [his] artwork as their background".
All Play is Spiritual was on exhibition from October 7 through November 1, 2022.
For more information on Jahbarri, you can visit @iusecnre or iusecnre.com
]]>There are prizes awarded for People's Choice, as well as a juried prize for each age group, Primary, Middle and Senior, and one juried prize for digital submissions. This year the judges were Kendra Earls, Education Officer, Risa Hunter, Director, and Nhuri Bashir, renowned local photographer and videographer. The winners will be announced in a special ceremony in September!
]]>Preferring to work large scale, especially with her portraits, Hughes finds that a painting closer to life size dominates a space more and demands the attention of its viewer. Her current series of paintings form a collective celebration of the different lives of Bermudians. Her hope is that each painting captivates its viewer in its own individual way, but that the series as a whole works together to reflect our shared Bermudian experience.
Website: www.phoebehughesart.com | Instagram: @phoebehughesart
*Phoebe will not be taking on any new commissions until 2023.
PRESS:
As pandemic rages, Phoebe Swallows her fears Heather Wood, Lifestyle Editor, The Royal Gazette
Masterworks to Feature Artist Phoebe Hughes Bernews
Hughes: 'Bermuda Will Always Be My Inspiration' Stephen Wright, Bernews
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Christine achieved so much since those early years exploring Devon. She held countless art shows here in Bermuda, alongside contributing her work to magazines, posters and stamps. She also illustrated books, including Bermuda’s first complete collection of flora and fauna, which now serves as an educational guide for many. She became a recognized member of The Linnaean Society and a renowned artist locally and internationally, with collectors of her work worldwide. Her art and conservation work inspired others to see the beauty of nature and its importance to us all.
Christine’s character was a reflection of nature itself, beautiful and complex. Perhaps this is why the outdoors was an escape for her, seeing the beauty in the world around her, even in the smallest fern or flower, and always striving to help others. This show is a snippet of her latest work and serves as a tribute both to Christine and the beauty that she captured along the way. She made the world a better place just by being in it. Cheers to Christine. You will be missed but your legacy lives on through your art and all those you have inspired along the way!
PRESS:
Watlington's Botanical Wonderland is a must-see show Charles Zuill, The Royal Gazette
]]>Abi Box is a British artist based between London and Bermuda. Graduating with a fine art degree from Camberwell School of Art in London, her work focuses on gesture and mark making.
'Yellow Felt Tip' by Abi Box, exhibited from April 22 - May 17, 2022.
]]>ARTIST STATEMENT:
Painting as poetry makes sense to me, especially with concern to translation and interpretation, words painting pictures and pictures inspiring words. I like to think of the possibilities present in gesture and suggestion, to think of light as something so bright that it might be audible. When I paint, my mind is in constant flux for how a painting can be made, constructed, pieced together, and subsequently read and understood. I want to make spacious, minimal, balanced paintings, I want to make awkward, messy, chockablock paintings. I’d like to make both kinds of painting at the same time, and then there’s the risk, every time, of making a bad painting. The good paintings are so often accidental, ignorantly brave and beautifully reckless.
Abi Box is a British artist based between London and Bermuda. Graduating with a fine art degree from Camberwell School of Art in London, her work focuses on gesture and mark making. Box’s work is held in both a number of private and public collections including the UAL Alumni Collection and Simmons Contemporary. She has had several artist residencies in Switzerland, Wales and Peru, and recent exhibitions include; Illusion and Abstraction: Capturing the Landscape at Bermuda National Gallery curated by Mitchell Klink; Paper Cuts curated by Kristian Day, Saatchi Gallery, London; The Smaller The Larger curated by Kate Hiley, Sobering Galerie, Paris; as well as having work selected for ASC 40° Celsius and the Bermuda Biennial.
PRESS:
"Bermuda through fresh eyes" by Charles Zuill, read here
]]>The Charman Prize came to a close this past Saturday, April 9th. Sponsored by Patron, Mr. John Charman, a prominent figure in international business and an avid art collector, this biennial exhibition seeks to honour and support local and resident artists by highlighting the exceptional talent right here on our island.
For this 10th edition of the Charman Prize, artists were asked to respond to the statement, “Bermuda, Our Island, In a Changing World”. This topical theme allowed artists to address Bermuda within the context of the global pandemic and the pressures weighing on our community. Over 120 artists submitted artworks depicting their interpretations of our island in a changing world. Masterworks’ initial review left works from 90 Artists to grace the walls of the gallery. After a tough deliberation between international Judges Betty Krulik, Art Dealer and Appraiser (New York), Robin Light, Art Dealer and Gallerist (London) and Karole Dill Barkley, Investor, and Independent Director (New York) we are excited to announce the following winners.
Overall Winner/ Masterworks Collection Prize Antione Hunt
“Coming and Going”, 2021
Mixed Media: Charcoal, oil and ink on canvas
Use of Materials Liana Nanang
“We are the Return”, 2021
Ceramic on cedar
Design and Composition Milton Raposo
“Sea Change”, 2021
Photograph
Distinct and Convincing Style Gherdai Hassell
“The Hive”, 2021
Interactive Installation collage on paper and video
Source of Inspiration Sabriyya Harvey
“All The Lot”, 2021
Oil on Canvas
People’s Choice Award Phoebe Hughes
“Par-La-Ville Park”, 2021
Oil on Canvas
The five winning categories for the Charman Prize, have a total prize value of $18,000 with the overall winner receiving a $10,000 grand prize and individual category winners, receiving $2,000. Charman prize recipient Antione Hunt was radiant after learning he was the overall winner. This being Hunt’s seventh entry, the judges and Masterwork team agreed the award was well deserved. In making their decision, the judges said “A quiet scene-stealer, this work could be described as cloudy, smokey, or atmospheric, and yet it is so clearly, and specifically inspired by Bermuda. Exquisitely painted, the work presents something old in a new, and thoughtful way. A masterpiece of understatement, yet deep and richly layered, we see a symbol of Bermuda in a whole new light.”. Hunt shared his sentiments on his win and what it meant for him to not only win the Charman but also have his work be added to the Masterworks collection “I was genuinely surprised to win, and I still have no words to say.”
Winner for ‘Source of Inspiration’ and emerging artist Sabriyya Harvey, explained how she felt after learning that her piece ‘All Them Lot” had sold, “After the initial shock, I felt a sense of bolstered confidence. As I enter my professional practice, the main goal is to produce paintings. Selling this first piece made me realize that there is in fact an audience for my work. I aim to create paintings that are in conversation with my audience and discovering that these efforts were affirmed has encouraged me to continue creating and given me the confidence to allow my art to fully speak for itself.”
Executive Director, Risa Hunter shares “It is an honour to be part of this anchor exhibition in Bermuda, allowing us as viewers to reflect on our shared and individual experiences, and connect with our island heritage, all by engaging in contemporary visual culture. After the past two years, after many challenges, art has more so than ever been a guidepost for artists to examine what it means to live a human existence, to express their unique voices, and to bring ideas together.”
The Charman Prize closed Saturday, April 9th, and the museum will be closed for reinstallation until April 22nd when Abi Box ‘Yellow Felt Tip’ opens in the Rick Faries Gallery.
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AUGUST 2021: Teddy Tucker, the Artist
"Dive In: The Art of the Wreck" showcased never-before-seen paintings of the shipwrecks Tucker discovered around Bermuda. Created in the later years of his life, Tucker's paintings not only demonstrate his artistic talent, but also his sincere interest in understanding the historic ships that wrecked around Bermuda's shores.
]]>Re-introducing Teddy Tucker - Diver, Explorer, and, Artist
For the month of August, the Rick Faries Gallery was dedicated to highlighting late Diver, Explorer, and Artist, Teddy Tucker in "Dive In: The Art of the Wreck" between August 6th - 31st 2021.
This unique exhibition showcased never-before-seen paintings of the shipwrecks Tucker discovered around Bermuda. Created in the later years of his life, Tucker's paintings not only demonstrate his artistic talent, but also his sincere interest in understanding the historic ships that wrecked around Bermuda's shores. He continued his research on these ships and the lives on them for many years, and his artwork reflects his dedication to better understand an important aspect of Bermuda's heritage.
Speaking to the importance of her father’s work, his daughter Wendy shared,
“My Father, Teddy Tucker, grew up in and on the ocean and started sailing at a young age. His grandfather, father and uncles built their own Bermuda fitted dinghies and raced them often. When he started diving on shipwrecks, his knowledge of sailing and boat construction was an asset. Coming from a family of artists and his father, a marine architect, it was natural for him to paint the ships he had discovered. My mother, Edna and I felt Bermuda’s marine heritage, which played a very important part in all our lives and still does, should be shared and appreciated. A donation to Masterworks and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will be made from the proceeds of the sale of these paintings.”
Masterworks Executive Director Risa Hunter said,
“Masterworks is pleased to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the artwork of legendary marine explorer Teddy Tucker. A Bermudian diver and explorer, Tucker has been recognized for his dedication to the discovery of over 100 shipwrecks surrounding Bermuda. But the lesser-known story being illuminated in this exhibition is that he was also exceptionally creative. Merging his love for underwater exploration and art, Tucker, through his research and sincere interest, reconstructed the ships that he discovered on Bermuda's reefs. This special exhibition at Masterworks intricately ties his artistic talent to our Atlantic marine heritage, giving the public an opportunity to draw connections to our Bermuda history through visual storytelling.”
Teddy Tucker, historian, lecturer, and artist, discovered more than one hundred shipwrecks around Bermuda including the treasure ship “San Pedro” containing the famous gold and emerald “Tucker Cross.” Visit www.teddytucker.com to learn more.
This special exhibition ran from August 6th - 31st 2021, at the Rick Faries Gallery in the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. There was also a joint initiative undertaken with BUEI, encouraging locals to visit both Museums to get the "whole picture" of Teddy's loves for wrecks, and the ocean.
See our visual recap below!
]]>JULY 2021: Mirrors 5th Annual Student Art & Digital Competition
2021 Theme -"Embracing our Differences"
Masterworks once again welcomed Mirrors Student Art competition during the summertime of 2021. We were once again blown away by our young talent, and look forward to the next exhibition!
]]>2021 Theme -"Embracing our Differences"
]]>Masterworks Museum, in a joint effort with ‘Black Lives Matter, Bermuda’ and the ‘Peaceful Art Protest’, invited the public to join us as we came together to mark the anniversary of the Black Lives Matter Bermuda March (2020). This special exhibition will showcase the artwork created in June 2020, alongside some new works from local artists, inspired by their reflection upon the event, and the movement, over the last year.
The 2021 Peaceful Art Protest had as its goal to stand as a reminder to continue to move our society forward and remain accountable to the statements and changes we pledged in support of Black Lives in Bermuda in 2020. Founder of the Peaceful Art Protest, Rachel Swinburne, explained that she was looking forward to again enabling art for the greater good, continuing the Peaceful Art Protest into its second iteration, stating,
“We are excited to bring the next iteration of the Peaceful Art Protest 2021 to life, with the opening set for June 7th. to mark the one-year anniversary of the Black Lives Matter Bermuda March 2020. The collaboration between Masterworks and Black Lives Matter Bermuda, along with the artists who contributed artworks last year, will be complemented by a host of new submissions, offering a powerful narrative of the BLM movement at a local level. At the pinnacle of this show, is an interactive installation aimed to foster discussion around race and privileges. We invite visitors to reflect and contribute their thoughts through conversation, written notes and drawings.”
The exhibition quietly opened to the public on June 4th, with an official opening, on the anniversary of the march, June 7th, led by ‘BLM Bermuda’. Speaking to the event, BLM Bermuda said,
“On June 7th, Bermuda protested George Floyd’s murder and the institutions that have enabled such injustices to occur for centuries. A year later, we reflect upon the progress made since that day and call for more action and awareness to combat systems that disproportionately neglect black and brown people. Let this exhibition be another powerful contribution to this fight for racial equity.”
An addition to the Peaceful Art Protest artwork, there was also a public installation running alongside the exhibition. The Peaceful Art Protest exhibition ran from June 4th - June 29th, 2021, at the Masterworks Museum, with an official opening marking the anniversary of the march, June 7th, 2021.
Read more about the show on The Royal Gazette
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441: Four Artists, Four Styles, One Show
Online & In-Person, April 30-May 25, 2021
Working around COVID restrictions and ultimately a lockdown, 441, was a virtual and in-person exhibition featuring four female, emerging, local artists. In this group show, artists Arianna Simmons, DaeNyce Rabain, Jasmine Lee and Shanna Hollis each exhibited unique bodies of work ranging from portraiture, graphic design, painting, and printmaking.
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Read DaeNyce's Story: "Art by Keile"
Read Jasmine's Story: "Storytelling through Art"
Read Arianna's Story: "Arianna finds zodiac inspiration"
Read Shanna's Story: "Shanna Archives Bermuda's Heritage"
]]>March 2021: "Painter's Palette" & "Persona"
Student Exhibitions, BHS & WA
Between March 5-30, Masterworks welcomed local high-school students undertaking the International Baccalaureate programme in Art. This exhibition allowed them to showcase their hardwork, and also learn what the process is like to prepare for, and install a gallery show.
]]>Bermuda High School
"Painter's Palette" - Exhibition Rationales
Miniya Wainwright - "My body of work stems from my ongoing fascination with portraiture. Focusing on conveying emotions and shared experiences without necessarily using facial expressions. After analysing the works of Kehinde Wiley and Maggie Hambling for my extended essay, I considered the conventions of the composition and formal qualities more carefully in my work and how to convey specific meaning through my techniques. Symbolism in my artwork has progressed and the focus of the intentions behind every color, position and objects has deepened."
Layla Kurt - "I have encompassed my interests in the natural world, sustainability and a love of the ocean into this body of studio work. Growing up in Bermuda and being surrounded by the ocean, I have always been drawn to the sea, and the magic of the underwater scenery. Having long been fascinated with water-based past times such as surfing, snorkeling and beach wandering it has allowed me to highlight the vibrancy of my current surroundings through my artworks..."
Chloe Mitchell - "This exhibition is generated from the focus of ‘Beauty Reimagined’ stemming from the concept of portraying beauty in a stylistic yet sometimes uncomfortable or unsettling way. I chose to explore this idea as I have always been intrigued by displaying the human form in an unconventional way, whether that be through portraits or through the body in some aspects. Within my works I tend to use composition, colors and form to portray emotional connections with the viewers throughout, to capture a meaning behind the subject..."
Emily Williams - "Studies of portraiture have long captured my attention, not only the use of realism as explored through the Italian Renaissance artists such as Edgar Degas, whom I analysed the works of in my Comparative Study. Artists such as Degas and Da Vinci have continued to influence my studio work along with more contemporary portrait artists such as Josh Miels...My aspirations for my show was to make interesting connections between the subjects of my portraits with their possessions, giving clues about their interest and relationships. In some of my artworks, a physical link can be seen by the viewer whereas other pieces include a symbolical connection, seen through subtle hidden layers..."
Warwick Academy
"PERSONA" - Exhibition Rationale
The Cambridge Dictionary defines the word Persona as:
"the particular type of character that a person seems to have and that is often different from their real or private character."
This Art exhibition is a result of two years of work that has changed and shaped three students’ concept of their own art making and themselves.
We are all grappling with our own persona after the changes we have experienced after a pandemic: who we are when confined to our homes, how we cope with restrictions on our day to day lives, how much of ourselves we reveal or conceal in live interactions on our computer screens.
The term “Persona” has been applied to indicate that each of these students have learned about themselves, and have been able to confidently develop work and present it to you in this exhibition, as a representation of their individual personal accomplishments.
We hope you enjoy our exhibition.
Grace Arrowsmith
Aisling Harris
Ahziah Hunt
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Tom Butterfield, founder of Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art celebrated his “graduation” from the everyday work of running the Museum with a special exhibit 39 years in the making.
The “graduation” show, Bermuda in Another World, A Photographer’s View, ran from February 6 - March 2, 2021.
]]>Tom Butterfield, founder of Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art celebrated his “graduation” from the everyday work of running the Museum with a special exhibit 39 years in the making. Exhibiting a collection of personal photographs, of recent work, of a subject that has always fascinated him, Bermuda in Another World, A Photographer’s View, showcased sites often overlooked.
Speaking of the exhibition, Tom stated, “The notion of exhibiting personal photographic work after an hiatus of 39 years brings a staggering reality to the front. Firstly, where did 39 years go, which is extremely eerie, and secondly, that after 39 years to still be engaged feels marvellous. With every image taken, there is a sense of exhilaration and anticipation in post visualisation. Photographer Gary Winnogrand was once quoted as saying, “I photograph to see what something looks like photographed”; a simple but prophetic statement.”
He continued, “I am grateful for the 39 years of absence to focus in on something far greater than I will ever achieve and that is the visual, artistic, aesthetic, and historic legacy left by Masterworks. It has in fact helped me to see and fully understand the world around me that has been forgotten, neglected, destroyed or ignored. The work shown here is a very small sampling of the current body of imagery that I am working on. I hope it will give you pause and a sense to nurture our time while we are present.”
Helping him bring his vision to life was guest curator Carole Reed. Reed is a New York City-based creative director, writer, and art consultant.
The “graduation” show, Bermuda in Another World, A Photographer’s View, ran from February 6 - March 2, 2021.
See below for a recap of the show!
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SEPTEMBER 2021: MNFR, My Negus For Real
For the month of September 2021 , the Rick Faries Gallery featured local artist and photographer Jayde Gibbons’ first solo show, “MNFR”. The show focused on documenting Black Bermudian Men – their experiences, their stories, their truths.
]]>The Importance of the Black Male Muse – Jayde Gibbons “MNFR”
For the month of September, the Rick Faries Gallery featured local artist and photographer Jayde Gibbons’ first solo show, “MNFR”. The show focused on documenting Black Bermudian Men – their experiences, their stories, their truths.
Describing the show in her own words, Gibbons said,
“MNFR is a special tribute to Black Bermudian Men of all ages and backgrounds. It serves as a reminder that they are more than what society says about them and that they too are valued, and beautiful, magical, beings.”
'MNFR' is part of an ongoing project for Gibbons, and the collection of images on display were a sampling of the many images that she has collected over the last few years, and showcase her dedication to capturing, as she stated, ‘Black Bermudian Men of all ages and backgrounds’. Speaking to the upcoming show, Director Risa Hunter explained,
“We are rewarded to witness self-taught photographer Jayde Gibbons, two years after being selected as the winner of the 2019 Charman Prize at the Museum, now open her first solo exhibition at Masterworks. Her raw creative talent, coupled with her desire to share underrepresented themes in Bermuda, makes her an artistic force to reckon with. Through her powerful imagery of the Bermudian Black male experience, Jayde gives the public a new lens for redefining manhood and providing visual narratives that transform cultural paradigms. This island has been begging, for some time, for an opportunity to reimagine society's portrayal of racial identity politics and these images are critical in recontextualizing a lived experience. Masterworks is honoured to be a part of Jayde's flourishing photography career where we know she will soar to great heights.”
This thought-provoking show was on display in the Rick Faries Gallery September 3-28, 2021.
Press/Reviews:
Heather Woods, "Homage to the Black male"
Edwin Smith, "An eye and a heart for ace boys and beautiful humans"
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