Masterworks Announces 2024 Exhibition Line-Up

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art announced a dynamic lineup of exhibitions for the year ahead.

A spokesperson said, “Masterworks is pleased to announce a captivating roster of major exhibitions for the year ahead in the Butterfield, Mezzanine and Rick Faries Galleries. These exhibitions promise to deliver a diverse range of artistic expression, showcasing work from the Masterworks Permanent Collection as well as Bermuda’s local contemporary artists, emerging and established.

1. Charman Prize

“Masterworks’ 11th Biennial Charman Prize themed The Local Seen; Bermuda, and Bermudians, in the Modern World is on display and available to view until March 31, 2024. From Artist Talks, to an Art Detective youth activity, to the upcoming closing events, the Charman Prize provides an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the exhibition and engage with the local artists behind the works of art.

“From now until the exhibition’s end, the Museum will host three Charman Prize Artist Talks, where artists will share insight into their process, techniques and how their artwork connects across audiences. See dates and times below.

John G. Lyman, Bermuda Landscape, 1958. On loan from Tom Butterfield, 1994

“In March, a distinguished trio of judges, Dr. Madeleine Hadden, Amanda Coulson and Karole Dill Barkley, each of whom bring a wealth of expertise and experience, will be on island to judge the exhibition and to connect with the artists and the broader community.

“Announced at the Closing Ceremony will be the seven winning artists. The winner of the Charman Prize receives $10,000, and four additional prizes are awarded at $2,500 each to artists who best embody each judging criteria. There is also a Masterworks Collection Prize – one work acquired to add to the Permanent Collection – and the People’s Choice Prize, kindly sponsored by Frameworks at ESC.

Important Dates:

• Friday, February 16, 5:30-7pm Artist Talks | Week 3 will hear from artists ABWilson, Jonathan Young, Milton Raposo and Danielle Frith.
• Friday, March 1, 5:30-7pm Artist Talks | Week 4 will hear from artists Faraz Pourrera-Jorshari, John Gardner, Kayla Jackson and Graham Foster.
• Thursday, March 14, 5:30-7pm Artist Talks | Week 5 will hear from Fiona Nusum, Alice Coutet, Jayde Gibbons and Nashon Hollis.
• Thursday, March 28, 5:30 – 8pm Closing Ceremony | The public is invited to attend the closing ceremony, at the Masterworks Museum, where the seven prize winners will be announced.

“Curated by Jasmine Lee, Museum & Gallery Exhibitions Officer at Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. The Charman Prize is generously sponsored by John Charman. Special thanks also to ESC for their support of The People’s Choice Award.”

Isabel McLaughlin, Untitled, c. 1950s. Gift of David Aurandt, 2008

2. Looking Out: Canadian Artists in Bermuda in the Butterfield Gallery and Isabel McLaughlin: Finding Form in the Mezzanine Gallery

“Opening in April are two major exhibitions featuring the Masterworks Permanent Collection. Masterworks is unique in Bermuda for its impressive collection of art by pivotal Canadian artists such as John Goodwin Lyman, Jack Bush, André Biéler, Isabel McLaughlin, Nora Collyer, Paterson Ewen, John Hartman and many others. This substantial collection represents an ever-shifting view not only of Bermuda over the twentieth century, but also of Canadian art and culture. Opening in the Butterfield Gallery, Looking Out: Canadian Artists in Bermuda, reveals the stories of these artists, how they viewed and depicted Bermuda, and the place their Bermuda artworks hold in their careers and in both Canadian and Bermudian visual culture.

“The Mezzanine Gallery will feature a related exhibition titled Isabel McLaughlin: Finding Form, featuring many never-before seen works by key Canadian modern artist, Isabel McLaughlin (1903-2002). McLaughlin was a frequent visitor to Bermuda from the 1930s to the 1970s, staying at her family’s home of Cedar Lodge. In 2008, Masterworks was gifted a collection of works on paper, including pastels, watercolours and drawings, which comprises an unmatched record of her artistic efforts on the island and manifests the important link between architectural and natural forms in her art. Finding Form explores her working process and the forms she found in Bermuda.

“There will be a members-only preview on Friday, April 26 from 5:30 – 7:30pm. The exhibitions open to the public on Saturday, April 27, and will be on view until Saturday, September 7, 2024.

“Curated by Dr. Sara Thom, Curatorial Researcher at Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Support for these exhibitions is graciously provided by the Christian Humann Foundation.

Portrait of Gherdai Hassell provided by the artist.

3. Solo Exhibition by Gherdai Hassell

“Opening in September will be a special exhibition for the Museum, as for the first time, a Bermudian artist will be exhibiting a solo show across the Butterfield and Mezzanine Galleries. The Museum is excited to feature Gherdai Hassell, a Manchester-based, Bermuda-born multidisciplinary artist who explores identity, heritage and history in her work. The first of its kind for the Museum, the as yet untitled exhibition will showcase bespoke works by Hassell, informed by her study and interpretation of the Permanent Collection, with selected works from the Permanent Collection also on view.”

Hassell shared, in anticipation of the upcoming exhibition, “I’m absolutely thrilled to come back home to share such a meaningful and exciting body of work. The work will realize new media and connect seemingly disparate ideas. I love opportunities to push my practise further to continue deepening my relationship to my practice and island home. Being able to engage with the Masterworks Collection is an exhilarating challenge for my inner academic and art history lover.”

The spokesperson said, “Announcements of accompanying events such as artist talks and tours will come closer to the date. There will be a members-only preview on Friday, September 27 from 5:30 – 7:30pm, and the exhibition will open to the public Saturday, September 28, and be on view until February 22, 2025.

“The exhibition will be curated by Jasmine Lee, Museum & Gallery Exhibitions Officer at Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. The Museum especially thanks the generous donors supporting this pivotal exhibition.

General view of the Charman Prize exhibition. Photograph by Blair Raughley Masters

4. Rick Faries Gallery Contemporary Artist Exhibitions

“Starting in April, the Rick Faries Gallery will resume its monthly feature of local contemporary artists. With 13 artists in the line-up, across solo, duo and group exhibitions, it promises to be a diverse and exciting offering to the community. April will feature the works of Tina Hutchings, in May, Jayde Gibbons, and in June, the 441 showcase, this year highlighting Sabriyya Harvey, Kayuntae Ming, Eira McHugh and Kayla Jackson. Details and updates can be found on the Masterworks website and on rickfariesgallery.com.

“The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Stay connected through our social media channels, the Masterworks website at masterworksbermuda.org or rickfariesgallery.com for events and details on any the exhibitions, ongoing or upcoming.”

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