august | artist…

William Collieson

Q & A with Scott Hill

Six Biennials! Please elaborate on your experience with being involved in such an important exhibition.

The Biennial is the greatest exhibition on the island. I especially like that the judges are from abroad and not from Bermuda. That lends to fair judging. It’s hard enough to put yourself out there with your art, but I feel a little more at ease knowing that there is no bias. If an artist’s work is chosen, you know that it really means something. I am very pleased to have been accepted into all 6 Biennials, I feel that it is a very important exhibition for all local artists; I particularly enjoy the competitive side.

You believe that art should raise questions. In what way?

All the great works of art raise questions. If art does not raise questions or draw attention to issues it can become purely decorative. Art can and has changed situations, especially regarding politics around the world. There has been instances that organizations or political bodies have clamped down on artists as art has such an influence on people.

Art has to be part of our lives, the highs and the lows, which brings me to this question. How does art reflect life?

Art and life are really one in the same. Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968), the painter and mixed media artist is known for his surrealistic pieces. Duchamp really pushed the idea that art can be about ideas instead of worldly things. Duchamp’s toilet for example, shows that everyday things can be art.

Over 40 years of exhibiting your art work. First off, that is amazing! Elaborate on the differences in putting on a solo show to working with groups. Do you prefer one over the other?

I prefer one man shows because a lot of the work is site specific, and there is a relationship between all the artwork I produce. It therefore has a stronger presence when displayed as one exhibition.

You have mentioned that you like to create your pieces from found objects. Do you have the idea in your mind before you go out searching, or does it come to you when you get home?

The artwork is inspired from one piece; it is from that one piece that the artwork is created. I accumulate pieces from found objects. I am a bit of a pack rat, but saying that, I am thinking constantly about a number of projects at the same time. I know exactly what I have and that is the start of something that might just be great. I am presently collecting garbage collection gloves. The hard working people who collect Bermuda’s garbage go through a lot of gloves. Hence one of my next projects.

You have an installation outside the front entrance to the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. The title of the piece is, “The Queen of Bermuda.” How did the dialogue start regarding this? Also, what does it mean to you?

The Initial idea started when Tom Butterfield approached me about a year ago. Tom believes that the Queen of Bermuda was an important part of the growth of art in Bermuda. The Masterworks Gallery has an enormous collection of art from the Queen of Bermuda. Back in the 30’s, the Queen of Bermuda was really the only way in or out of Bermuda. The people, art, and music that came from that era is what I was thinking when I started the sculpture.