in the arts…

It took only six years from the time the Daguerreotype was invented in 1839 until Daguerreotypists were working in Bermuda. By November 1845, T. C. Doane was advertising his skills in the Royal Gazette, as was a mysterious Mr. Robinson. These men, however, seem to have been from overseas and thus were active in Bermuda only temporarily. Others followed but it seems no professional photographer was permanently established in Bermuda until 1867, when John Athill Frith opened his photographic studio on Water Street in St. George’s. Frith, born in 1835 of former slaves, was the son of a father, who was also a photographer. The early photographers Doane and Robinson specialized in portraiture. John Athill Frith, in addition to portraiture, was known for his moonlit landscapes.

John Athill Frith, Bermudian (1835- 1907), View of Unidentified Bay, c.1870, albumen print

Possibly the best known early photographers were J. B. Heyl, who established his photographic business in Hamilton about 1879 and as known for his landscapes and N. E. Lusher, who appeared on the Hamilton scene about 1882. He is known primarily he for his portraits and has the reputation of being one of the island’s finest. Additionally,was on friendly terms weorith Gge Eastman, the founder of Kodak. Other lesser known photographers were J. B. Astwood, J. A. Fox, J. F. Darrell, John Rogan, L. G. Swain and Frank Richardson, who was possibly a relative of John Athill Frith. Indeed, these lessor known photographers are hardly known at all. Here is scope for much interesting research. John Athill Frith was in a similar position until about a decade ago, when he was “resurrected” by Nan Godet, a keen researcher, then working in the Bermuda Government Archives.

Karl Struss, American (1886-1981), Front Street 1957, photograph

The Bermuda photographic scene was given additional impetus with the rise of tourism, beginning primarily in 1883 with the visit of Princess Louise. Soon after, visitors, mostly from the United States began to arrive, some with photographic equipment. Several stand out, including Marriott C. Morris and Arthur Leslie Plimpton.

As tourism developed, a Government Trade Development Board (TDB) was established, primarily to promote tourism. In conjunction with this, photographers and other artists were hired to help advertise the beauties of Bermuda. By the time we reach the 1930s 40s & 50s, the golden age of Bermuda’s tourism, a number of highly skilled and now well known photographers were making names for themselves, some as employees of the T.D.B. Of these photographers, Frederick Hamilton, Walter Rutherford, Karl Struss and John Wetherill are notable. Additionally, Wetherill is highly regarded for his photographic portraits. Richard Saunders, also from that era, stands out, but being black in an age of segregation, he found that he had to work off island, in order to find employment. Today he is considered one of our best, with a well earned international reputation.

Work by many of the photographers mentioned in this survey are currently on exhibit in the Ondaadje wing at the Bermuda National Gallery in addition to Bill Brandt: A Respective. The exhibition runs through December 24, 2008.

Located beside the main bus terminal in Hamilton, on the second floor of City Hall & Arts Centre, the Bermuda National Gallery is the place to start one’s exploration of the visual arts in Bermuda. Always on display in the Ondaatje wing is the history of Bermuda, as told through visual and decorative arts: paintings, cabinetry, silverware, photographs, beautiful art and artifacts that tell the narrative of this developing, diverse culture. A retrospective of British master of photography, Bill Brandt opens on September 29: a collection of 155 vintage gelatin silver prints capturing the people, places, and dreams of Brandt’s world and imagination. Vintage cameras on display also.

Free, guided tours each Thursday at 10:30 a.m. To arrange other tours contact the gallery.

Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission free.

To arrange tours, contact 295-9428 or e-mail director@bng.bm Website

Set in the Botanical Gardens, Bermuda’s first ever purpose built museum houses a collection of over 1,000 pieces of Bermuda inspired art. Renowned artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Winslow Homer and Albert Gleizes will be on display as well as a continuously evolving show of local artists. Masterworks Foundation was started 21 years ago with just a few paintings, and has grown to the collection we see today. In March, 2008 after five years of construction, the new Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art was opened to the public. The museum will present an impressive new facility for educational purposes for all Bermudians, as well as providing an exciting new destination for visitors to the island.

The first show is entitled “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” and will be on
display in the Main Gallery through the summer of 2008. The Rick Faries Gallery will display a series of exhibitions by local artists. Go to www.bermudamasterworks.com for more information.

Museum hours: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm

Admission: $5 but FREE for members and children under 12

Botanical Gardens | 441.236.2950 | website

Sculptures by the master Shona fine artists of Zimbabwe are among the most impressive and sought-after works of art in Africa - and the best place to find them is right here in Bermuda at the Crisson & Hind Fine Art Gallery on Front Street, Hamilton.

Gallery owner Colin (Dusty) Hind has developed an extraordinarily close relationship with the artists, many of who now work exclusively on commissions for the Gallery.

Mr. Hind visits Zimbabwe up to three times a year, personally helping to source, quarry and truck stone to the artists’ workshops where the sculptors set about making hard, beautiful Zimbabwean stone such as springstone, butter jade and serpentine, live and breathe. The Gallery teems with handsome tribal chiefs, elaborately braided women, prowling leopards, and intricate herds of antelopes and elephant.

The pieces can weigh up to 400 lbs but the Gallery can ship pieces all over the world at reasonable cost. Each piece has already travelled more than 8,000 miles, packed in custom boxes, made by the Gallery’s experienced staff in Zimbabwe. The Gallery will repack, fully insure and ship within days of purchase.

Remember that original works of art are duty-free into the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Smaller pieces up to about 25 lbs can be taken as accompanying baggage.

2nd floor of the Crisson Building, 71 Front Street, Hamilton | 441.295.1117 | website

Nicholas Lusher presently offers for purchase fine works of Bermuda-related art and antiques, from the modest to the exceptional. He has over 25 years experience as an international art and antiques broker. A former Trustee at the Bermuda National Gallery, and a member of their Director’s Circle, Mr. Lusher guest-curated at the museum the exhibition “The Fine Art of Bermuda Maps 1511-1861”. On the occasion of the marriage of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, to Britain’s Prince Andrew, he was commissioned by the Government and people of Bermuda to select the Royal wedding gift on their behalf. His current inventory contains works of Bermudian as well as items of off-island origin including paintings, watercolours & drawings, sculpture, historical engravings, photographs, antique maps, rare books, vintage posters, manuscript material, photography, decorative smalls, Boer War P.O.W. Camp artifacts, banknotes and coins, philately and postal history, ceramics and glass, at a wide range of prices.

By prior arranged appointment only.

10 minutes from central Hamilton. We will be happy to collect you by car, or Ferry is an option.

Telephone | 441.236.2773 | Mobile 441.747.8747 | website

Anthony Pettit is a dealer in most types of antiquities relating to Bermuda, particularly maps, books, prints, paintings and ephemera. Engravings, lithographs, views and woodcuts are offered as are sketches, oils and water colours. Among the ephemera are postcards, posters, brochures and photographs. A fully illustrated catalogue is available on request.

Call 292-2482 for an appointment | website