Based on the movie ‘Artists of the Bahamas’ produced, directed and
photographed by Karen Arthur and Thomas Neuwirth which premiered at the 2008
BIFF Film Festival, the artwork of the eleven Bahamian artists featured in the
film will be showcased at six galleries in the City. The artists include the late Amos Ferguson and
Brent Malone, Kendal Hanna, Max Taylor, Dave Smith, Eddie Minis, Stan Burnside,
Jackson Burnside, Antonius Roberts, John Beadle and John Cox. Participating
Galleries located from the western end of the island to the east include Post
House featuring Taylor and Roberts, Popop Gallery featuring Cox and Hanna,
D’Aguilar Art Foundation featuring Malone and Minnis, National Art Gallery of
The Bahamas featuring Ferguson, The Hub featuring Dave Smith and Doongalik
Studios featuring Burnside, Beadle and Burnside.
Recommended by the country’s
foremost art collector, the late Vincent D’Aguilar, the filmmakers travelled to
Nassau from 2006-2008 to research, interview and film the artists and their
work. Karen Arthur commented, "This wasn't Paris
or London or New York, we were astounded by the skill, diversity &
eloquence of these extraordinary Bahamian artists, and felt honored
to preserve them & their art on film."
In order to celebrate this rich
artistic heritage a group of collectors, Saskia D’Aguilar, Dawn Davies and Pam
Burnside decided to plan an art show based on the film, which would allow the
Bahamian and visiting public the opportunity to share in the viewing of this
magnificent array of artwork.
“The Bahamas has an enormously rich artistic
heritage and it is important that collectors preserve these treasures for
future generations. This film was a major undertaking and we also commend the
filmmakers for their foresight in preserving this important part of the
country’s fine art history.”