From the Collection

From the Collection offers a glimpse into the National Collection—the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas’ permanent collection—an evolving archive of Bahamian art that reflects shifting ideas of identity, nationhood, and resistance. Established in 2003 alongside the Inaugural National Exhibition, the National Collection brings together works that challenge the colonial gaze, deconstruct the paradisiacal myth, and highlight the realities of Bahamian life.

Poet Patricia Glinton-Meicholas describes Bahamian artists as leaders in redefining national identity, with the museum playing a key role in this process: “Well positioned, the museum coaxes Bahamians into discovering and valuing a truer history, heritage, and culture of our country.” This exhibition presents a selection of works from the National Collection, offering a snapshot of that ongoing dialogue—where artists bear witness to our experiences, speak truth to power, and shape how we see ourselves as a people. Notably, this exhibition also presents two new acquisitions by John Beadle (1964-2024), further enriching the collection’s exploration of Bahamian identity and artistic legacy.

From the Collection is curated by Letitia Pratt, Associate Curator, NAGB.