Category: Artist Talk

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Artist Talk

Closing Celebrations

From Darkness to Light

To celebrate the close of From Darkness to Light, artist Henry Ward gave a fascinating talk at the gallery last week, in which he discussedhis approach to portraiture, his techniques – which are inspired by the Old Masters – and the influence that Rembrandt has had on the development of his practice. 

The artist also discussed his experience painting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Ward is one of the few painters for whom the late monarch sat and his portrait of her, which now hangs in the Savoy in London, is one of only two which she unveiled in person.  

We were thrilled to welcome students to the exhibition after two years of restrictions, with East End Primary (pictured below), St David’s Primary and the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation home school group visiting in recent weeks. The exhibition, which captured key figures in Bermuda’s diverse communities, provided a valuable teaching resource in both portraiture and the use of chiaruscuro. 

Although the exhibition has now closed, From Darkness to Light: Portraits by Henry Ward can be toured online and the accompanying exhibition catalogue and BNG Kids activity booklet can be downloaded from our website.

Thank you toBermuda Centennial Foundation and D&J Construction for making this exhibition possible. 

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Artist Talk

Jill Amos Raine

My Time in Cape Dorset

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TALK IS NOW SOLD OUT.*

Join us for an insightful talk by local artist Jill Amos Raine on Thursday, December 9. There will be a drinks reception at 5.30pm, followed by the talk at 6pm.

Jill will be discussing her time in Cape Dorset (Kinngait), Nunavut, in the Arctic territories of Canada. The settlement, which is considered the epicenter of contemporary Inuit art, is the subject of  The Shadow Land, currently on display in the Upper Mezzanine Gallery.

The exhibition focuses on stone cut prints from the 1960s, presenting artworks produced by the first generation of full-time Inuit artists based in Cape Dorset. Jill will discuss her time living and teaching English at the settlement with her husband, David Raine, during this time period.

Click here to register. Tickets are $10 for BNG members and $20 for non members.

Spaces are limited. Please note that a government SafeKey will be required for attendance.

Top: Jill Amos Raine (right), with husband David Raine (centre) and an Inuit friend on Baffin Island in the 1960s. Above: The Shadow Land: Cape Dorset Prints from the Bacardi Collection. Photographed by Dion Easton.

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Artist Talk

Artist Talk

Gherdai Hassell

Earlier this year Gherdai Hassell held an Artist Talk at Bermuda National Gallery in partnership with the Department of Culture to celebrate the opening of her first solo exhibition, I Am Because You Are.  

In the talk, which has since accumulated over 1,500 views on social media, Gherdai eloquently took the audience through her journey from cutting out paper dolls as a child – a forerunner to her Alibi series she realises in hindsight – to pursuing (and relinquishing) a law degree before moving to China, returning to art and realizing that it is her true calling. 

Click the image below to watch the video.

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Artist Talk

In Conversation: Jacqueline Alma

BNG Lecture Series

The BNG Lecture Series featuring Jacqueline Alma is now available to watch on the BNG YouTube channel. 

The film provides a behind the scenes look at Jacqueline’s methodical approach to art making and the background to her dynamic exhibition Like A Tree Let The Dead Leaves Drop which featured drawings and paintings inspired by her personal experiences.

Soul Tree I by Jacqueline Alma 2015-2018. Oil on linen.

You can view the film, which was recorded live at the BNG in June 2019, here. 

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Artist Talk

In Conversation: Bryan Ritchie

The Art of Printmaking

2020 Bermuda Biennial artist Bryan Ritchie recently gave a talk for the BNG live from his home studio in Wisconsin in which he gave an overview of his practice and the concepts behind the art he creates, which primarily focuses on drawing and lithography.

Bryan has exhibited extensively in Bermuda, Canada and the United States and his work has been included in five Bermuda Biennials. He is currently a Professor of Art in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Wisconsin-Stout where he recently concluded an additional role as Department Chair. 

You can watch the talk HERE.

Swimmer (Maybe I should get out and participate), 2019. Charcoal and pastel on paper. 30 x 22 in. Selected for the 2020 Bermuda Biennial.
Maybe I Should Be Me, 2018. Charcoal and pastel on paper. 30 x 22 in. Selected for the 2020 Bermuda Biennial.

Artist’s Statement

My work explores social and political paradigms through implied narratives. I respond to a myriad of sources, including social interactions, media influences, daily rituals and memories.  My process stresses invention, with an emphasis on mark making and character development, to create depictions that explore a place between abstraction and representation. My entries for the 2020 Biennial represent a recent body of work produced while serving a new employment role as a department chairperson.

To remain connected with my creative practice while I learned the administrative assignment, I established a drawing ritual with specified working parameters. The resulting body of work became a whimsical snapshot into a period of risk, vulnerability and achievement. I questioned axioms regarding what is valued, what are aimers in life, and how does one navigate doubt, insecurity, failure and loss to achieve goals. The work was raw, but honest and gave form to shared questions about how to remain hopeful and vigilant as we age and accept new challenges.

Find Bryan at www.Bryanritchie.com and @bryanritchie4617