Thank you to everyone who joined us for the talk by London-based multi-media artist Rana Begum. As Charles Zuill wrote in his review of the lecture in the Royal Gazette, “Begum is a highly versatile artist, whose work is wide-ranging and yet identifiable as being uniquely Rana Begum. She is a painter, a printmaker, a sculptor, a creator of installations, a designer of furniture, a film-maker. She is an explorer, an experimenter, a modernist and yet a traditionalist.”
Her talk was fascinating and we were thrilled to welcome her to the gallery, where her work is on display in Simplicity of Form: Unfolding Abstraction through to the end of October. The video of talk, courtesy of CITV, is now available to watch for those who weren’t able to make it in person.
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.
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.
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 BeMe, 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.
