Bryan Ritchie's Bar Intentions, DeceptiveTouch and Truth Seeker were some of theworks accepted by the international jurorsfor this Bacardi Limited Biennial ofContemporary Bermuda Art, which opensthis evening.

N. Christina Hutchings Lost, Found & Whistleand Bermuda Map can be viewed in theBacardi Limited Biennial of ContemporaryBermuda Art, which opens this evening.

Photographer James Cooper prefers to usereadily available everyday objects to createhis sculptures. His work can be viewed in theBacardi Limited Biennial of ContemporaryBermuda Art, which opens this evening.

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Published: June 18. 2010 06:27AM

'Greater heights of artisticexploration'

By René Hill

Work by 20 artists goes on showtonight for the ninth Bacardi LimitedBiennial of Contemporary BermudaArt.

The exhibition, at the BermudaNational Gallery (BNG), was juriedby international guests VeerlePoupeye, executive director of theNational Gallery of Jamaica, andTumelo Mosaka, curator ofcontemporary art, Krannert ArtMuseum, University of Illinois.

The exhibition 42 pieces of diverseart from Meredith Andrews, JohnBattersbee, Louisa BerminghamFlannery, William Collieson, JamesCooper, Graham C. Foster, John A.Gardner, Charlie Godet Thomas,Kathy Harriott, Scott Hill, Antoine A.R. Hunt, N. Christina Hutchings,Sunell Lombard, Ian Macdonald-Smith, Bill Ming, Kevin Morris,Bryan Ritchie, Alan C. Smith,Michael Walsh and Charles Zuill.

BNG curator Sophie Cressall said:"The jurors engaged in a highlycritical, deeply reflective process ofart review. They were committed toexamining the submitted artthrough the international lenseswithin which they work, and thishas led to a very tight, cohesiveexhibition, which has stronginternational credibility."

International jurors Veerle Poupeyeand Tumelo Mosaka stated: "Theselection process for the 2010Bermuda Biennal presented difficultchallenges for us that seemedinherent to its location and thehistory.

"In making our selections, we feltcompelled to move beyond thealready ascribed visual vocabularythat reflects figuratively on theBermudian landscape, the all-too-comfortable 'island aesthetic' thatcan be seen in many of the localgalleries and is well supported bythe local art market and cultural

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Related stories >'Greater heights ofartistic exploration':: Ninth Bacardi Biennial setto open on June 18:: Shortlist revealed 41Bermudian artists willhave their work judgedby international panel Diverse, innovative andthought-provoking – asnapshot of Bermuda'scontemporary art scene Video media makes itsdebut at the BacardiBiennial exhibition Controversial? Yes – buta truly groundbreakingshow::

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Michael Walsh says 'Art is the opportunity tocreate reason'. His pieces can be viewed inthe Bacardi Limited Biennial ofContemporary Bermuda Art, which opensthis evening.

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"We are not disputing the legitimacyof such work in the Bermudiancontext and recognise that much ofit is highly accomplished in its ownright, especially from a technicalpoint of view. The exhibition wehave selected, therefore, does notseek to provide a broad survey ofthe contemporary art scene inBermuda. Had we done so, we would have produced a biennial, whichreplicated much of the 2008 edition and unproductively encouragedstagnation.

"Instead, we have focused on work that departs from the safe, fixedpositions we detected in much of what was submitted and charts moreopen-ended, critical trajectories, in keeping with what we believe shouldbe the exploratory, developmental thrust of this biennial. This was themain criterion we used in our selection process."

Bacardi managing director, Michael Brennan said: "The BiennialExhibition, one of the most dynamic events on the art calendar, inspiresBermuda's contemporary artists to strive beyond their normal comfortzones to greater heights of artistic exploration. Especially in these difficulttimes, we need creative and talented artists to imagine a better future,and to enhance the lives of all of us living in Bermuda. We need tocelebrate this spirit for life – this vigour of heart, mind, and soul to reachbeyond limits, wherever it is found."

Exhibition supporter and Premier Ewart Brown, added: "It has been saidthat art shouldn't merely comfort or entertain us – it should alsochallenge us.

"I hope this exhibit leaves you thinking about your place in our shrinkingworld. It is my sincerest hope that this year's Biennial will help each of usto appreciate the creativity, diversity and strength of our people. Iencourage everyone in Bermuda to come and see the Biennial to beinspired and challenged."

The BNG's mission is to promote, benefit, and advance the visual arts inBermuda. BNG director Lisa Howie stated: "Looking across the eightprevious Biennials, we can see how the exhibition has evolved, and howthis current exhibition makes a strong statement about contemporary artin Bermuda.

"All of the artists who submitted must be commended, as submitting toan international jury takes some courage.

"I trust that all the artists will embrace the jury's selection, and that thisBiennial will help to locate Bermuda's artistic talent on the map."

The exhibition remains up until November 26.

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