Bacardi & BNG To Display Inuit Artwork Collection

October 25, 2021

In partnership with the Bermuda National Gallery, Bacardi is sharing artwork from their private collection, with the first exhibition — The Shadow Land: Cape Dorset Prints from the Bacardi Collection — “presenting artworks produced by the first generation of full-time Inuit artists based at Cape Dorset.”

A spokesperson said, “Bacardi Limited are sharing artworks from their private collection in a new partnership with the Bermuda National Gallery. Building on 24 years of Bacardi’s sponsorship of the Bermuda Biennial, which is organised by the Bermuda National Gallery, The Bacardi Collection Series presents a selection of artworks on loan from the company’s global headquarters in Hamilton.

“The Bacardi family has been collecting art since the 1800s. Their collection, which is overseen by an in-house archivist, numbers almost seven hundred artworks and includes masterpieces of both Cuban and European art, which are displayed in company offices around the world. Bacardi’s art collection has always been a private passion enjoyed by staff and visitors. In this new partnership with the Bermuda National Gallery, they are sharing it with Bermuda.

“The first exhibition in the series, The Shadow Land: Cape Dorset Prints from the Bacardi Collection, presents artworks produced by the first generation of full-time Inuit artists based at Cape Dorset. The settlement, which is situated in Canada’s Arctic Territories, is considered to be the epicentre of contemporary Inuit art. The works, which were collected by Bacardi’s Canadian office in the 1970s, include prints by Kenojuak Ashevak [1927-2013] and Pitseolak Ashoona [1904-1983], two of Canada’s most esteemed artists.”

Peter Lapsley, Executive Director of BNG, said: “Bermuda National Gallery is thrilled to be able to showcase these exceptional artworks from the Bacardi Collection. These are some of the best examples of early works produced at Cape Dorset, a truly unique art cooperative which, through the production and sale of an annual print porfolio, continues to support not only the artists involved but the local community as a whole.

“This exhibition will provide the opportunity to learn about these artists and their culture, alongside hands-on learning opportunities through exciting educational programming for students and adults. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Bacardi for their generous loan of the artworks and for their continued support of the visual arts in Bermuda.”

Doug Mello, Managing Director of Bacardi International Limited, added: “The Bacardi company and family have always valued art as a way to connect with communities and to promote understanding of rich and diverse cultures around the world. We are thrilled to share this unique collection with the people of Bermuda and continue our legacy of working with the Bermuda National Gallery to provide opportunities for learning through outstanding showcases of art.”

The Honorary Consul of Canada in Bermuda, Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, said: “Canada’s cultural contributions are a big part of who we are as a people and what we value as a country. The Cape Dorset exhibition beautifully highlights our diversity of voices and we’re happy to see this art shared at the Bermuda National Gallery.”

“The Shadow Land: Cape Dorset Prints from the Bacardi Collection is on display at the Bermuda National Gallery through to the end of the year.”