From the Collection

The National Collection was established in July 2003 alongside the Inaugural National Exhibition to support the acquisition of works by Bahamian artists. The museum collects, documents, and interprets work that explores evolving ideas of nationhood—from images captured through a colonial gaze to works that deconstruct the paradisiacal myth that plagues our daily lives. The collection reflects how we identify as a Bahamian people, and how we respond to different systems of oppression.  

The National Collection is only a snapshot of this negotiation between the picturesque and reality. As artists bear witness to our experiences as a nation and a people, they craft stories that speak truth to power and help guide us in knowing ourselves. This exhibition is a brief introduction to the artwork and stories that belong to the people of The Bahamas.