Natalie Willis, Author at National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

Feature from the Exhibition: The Middle Passage

12 April 2012 Archive

Appropriately entitled The Middle Passage, Jeffrey Meris’ large and imposing piece for Transforming Spaces: Fibre 2012 is a call to memory, history and healing. Located in the Project Space (PS) Room in the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), Meris was inspired by conceptual mixed media artists such as Bahamian native, Blue Curry, to create a piece that visitors can interact with. Indeed, the entire piece is physical, tactile and emotional experience. Upon entering the wide mouth of The Middle Passage, visitors enter a soundless, warm place. Cotton brushes their sides and indeed it surrounds them. They are compelled to further their journey, each step takes them into further, tighter and claustrophobic terrain till they are squeezed, packed and expelled through its much smaller exit point.

Review: All-Star Amateur Artists Night

26 January 2012 Rewind

The event was a success. Artworks were sold; amateur and professional artists mingled, classical music filled the air, family, friends and the local community came out to support the gallery and All-star Amateur Artists Night participants. In preparing for the event, there was a lot of behind the scene work and high expectations that needed to be meet.

How To: The Proper Conservation and Preservation of Artworks on Paper

12 January 2012 Rewind

For the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas as well as other art galleries, museums, art collectors and appreciators, one’s storage system is an institution’s most important asset (besides the art of course). Without one, collections of priceless artworks and artefacts will deteriorate at rapid rates. Below are recommendations for the proper handling of works on paper.

Feature: A Look Into the Role of the Curatorial Assistant

20 December 2011 Rewind

At The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, the experience of the Curatorial Assistant is very similar to that of the Curatorial Trainee. This position is specialised in technical hands-on work that varies in duties from curatorial, to making sure that conservation and restoration are up to museum standards.

Feature from the National Collection: Emancipation Day Boat Cruise

1 December 2011 Stories

The sight of colorful faces, the rock of the music, and the sway of the boat with a boisterous, energetic crowd are all felt in John Beadle’s Emancipation Day Boat Cruise. Viewing this piece is an experience in and of itself. The analogous colors of reds, oranges and yellows are aptly applied across the canvas. The painting also includes elements of drawing, collage and quilting.

Feature from the Collection: Burnside Crowns a King

17 November 2011 Stories

If a visitor at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas were to wander into the office, found on the second floor, and make a left turn, one of the first things they would see is a “larger than life” painting of a man gazing back at them with a contemplative yet peaceful expression on his face. That would be Stan Burnside’s feature piece, “Solomon” (2000).

The All-Star Amateur Artists Night: Flyer, Rules and Application Form

10 November 2011 Rewind

Calling All Amateur Artists! The NAGB announces the launch of a new NAGB art initiative designed to encourage and engage amateur artists in The Bahamas: The All-Star Amateur Artists Night! If you are an amateur, non-professional artist, submit your work and possibly get the opportunity to be featured in a museum level exhibition at the NAGB. Pass the word!

Feature: A Look Into the Role of the Curatorial Trainee

3 November 2011 Rewind

From the moment a curator has an idea or plan for an exhibition, the job of the curatorial trainee is set into motion. Alongside the curatorial assistant(s), the trainee(s) begin to hunt and gather. Vital information about artists and collectors are recorded and later contacted.

NAGB Announces New Director and Staff Appointments

19 October 2011 Rewind

Earlier this year, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas began a comprehensive and transparent search, locally and worldwide, to fill a number of positions including Director, Assistant Educational Officer, Curatorial Assistant and Curatorial Trainees. The Board of the NAGB and the Gallery itself worked in consultation with the arts community throughout the entire process. With this talented selection of persons, the Board is confident that the process has been a sound one and that it has resulted in the best persons being chosen for each position.

Kendal Hanna’s “Happy Birthday To Me”

11 October 2011 Archive, Rewind

Currently on exhibition at the National Art Gallery is Kendal Hanna’s Retrospective Exhibition, “Happy Birthday To Me”. Spanning work from his near-60 year career, the exhibition features over 140 pieces ranging from Hanna’s psychologically intense portraits, his classic nude studies, and compelling abstract expressionist pieces. Curated by Dr. Erica M. James, the exhibition opened on the 25th of June 2011 and will sadly end in January 2012, so visit while you can!