1998 Bacardi limited biennial

Head Juror, Dr. Daniel Rosenfeld of the Pennylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has written: “It was a privilege to serve as a juror for the 1998 Bacardi Limited Biennial and to observe the remarkable range of artistic talent currently flourishing in Bermuda. It was also a privilege to facilitate the goals of the Bermuda National Gallery, which should be congratulated for embracing the chalenge of a biennial — a type of exhibition which questions our assumptions about the nature and limits of artistic expression.

“The modern biennial is a distant cousin of the annual salons that flourished in Europe in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Wheras the ancestor characteristically embraced the status quo, the descendant ideally identifies artwork that exhibits a fine disregard of the predictable and familiar. As Dr. LeFalle-Collins, Mrs Gorham and I reviewed the submissions for this year's exhibition, I was predisposed to look for elements of surprise, originality, uniqueness and a quality of execution that was not based upon reliance on formula or cliché. There was much talent and beauty presented for our consideration, but the work to which I was most drawn stood out because of its ties to a unique and diverse culture.

“I came away from this experience impressed by the vibrant artistic culture that flourished in Bermuda and by the admirable role played by the National Gallery in the cultivation of that culture.”

Dr. Lizetta LeFalle-Collins added: “I am confident that the jurying process was fair and that we, jurors, made a serious attemps not only to include the best work submitted, but also to keep in mind a representative presentation of Bermuda's artists. I hope that our selection will encourage all of the Island's artists to continue to explore all of their options with their selected media.”