BNG Names Charles Zuill Project Space
The Bermuda National Gallery has named the Charles Zuill Project Space in “recognition of his longstanding contribution to the Gallery.”
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda National Gallery is proud to announce the naming of the Charles Zuill Project Space. One of six galleries housed within BNG, the Project Space is being named after Dr Charles Zuill in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the Gallery. A Founding Trustee of the Bermuda National Gallery, Dr Zuill has played a pivotal role since the museum’s inception and continues to contribute as a member of the Collections Committee, exhibiting artist and curator into his ninth decade.
BNG Trustee Paul Gurtler, BNG Executive Director Jennifer L. Phillips and Dr Charles Zuill
“I’m very grateful for the honour,” said Dr Zuill. “I’ve been involved with the Gallery from the get-go. At the very beginning, when I was asked to put together a steering committee, I said to Desmond Fountain ‘I don’t want to know if it’s feasible. I want to make it feasible’.”
He received an MFA in painting and printmaking from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1969 and holds a PhD in Critical Studies from New York University [1984], where he studied colour theory under visiting artist Josef Albers.
An experimental mixed media artist known for his contemporary approach to abstraction, Zuill has exhibited in the Bermuda Biennial 12 times, most recently in 2022. He taught art and art history at the Bermuda College for many years and is the long-standing art critic at The Royal Gazette. He added, “If any space was going to be named after me, the Project Space seems to be the most appropriate because most of my life I’ve been experimenting with processes.”
Dr Charles Zuill. Photographs by Brandon Morrison
Jennifer L. Phillips, Executive Director of BNG, said, “With Charles now in his 90th year, there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to do this. The naming of the Charles Zuill Project Space recognizes Charles’ role in establishing the Bermuda National Gallery; acknowledges his continued support of BNG through serving on committees, leading workshops and talks, and offering curatorial suggestions at every turn; and celebrates his undeniable talent as a practicing mixed media artist with a tremendous portfolio, whose work has been featured in numerous exhibitions both on-island and abroad.”
The naming of the gallery was made possible by an annual pledge from BNG Trustee Paul Gurtler and his wife Sharon. Phillips said, “The relationship between Paul Gurtler and Charles Zuill spans decades, and the Gurtlers hold several of Charles’ works in their collection. On behalf of the trustees and staff at BNG, I thank them for this pledge, which honours a most deserving local artistic legend while supporting Bermuda National Gallery’s efforts in fulfilling our mission, as the Island’s premier art museum, to present world-class exhibitions, innovative programming and dynamic cultural experiences to inspire, educate and connect our diverse community.”
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