October 29, 2012Dear Sir,I write in response to a letter in today’s edition of The Royal Gazette by Laszlo Cser of Toronto, who suggests that, in my recent art review of the Charman Prize Exhibition at Masterworks, I upheld standards that Bermudians are unable to fulfill. What a bold, sweeping declaration to make! I wonder how Toronto-based Mr Cser has gained such superior insights that he can even think to say that. On what basis does Mr Cser make such an incredible assertion? The only standards or if you like, criteria I mentioned in my review of the Charman Prize Exhibition, are actually those established by the Masterworks Museum, so if Mr Cser considers them as being too high for Bermudian artists to possibly meet, then blame Masterworks. But to even suggest that we Bermudian artists are so inept that these standards are beyond us, is unbelievable arrogance.There are a number of local artists who, being highly accomplished, have successfully manoeuvred the international art world, with exhibitions in major art centres. There are also other local artists, who, for whatever reason, may not yet have attempted to exhibit overseas, nevertheless, could, with guidance they are that good. In other words, Bermudians are already able to uphold these established criteria. Mr Czer further suggests that I have some kind of agenda that might “kill”, as he says, the human spirit. In answer to that, yes, I do have an agenda for the Bermuda art community, it is called excellence. I have spent nearly a lifetime certainly more than 50 years successfully fostering and encouraging the human artistic spirit and, as an art professor in several universities and colleges, (particularly Bermuda College), I have always been very careful not to kill the human spirit.Mr Cser seems to be saying that the human spirit is so delicate, that it can not stand up to constructive criticism. From my experience, it is helped by it. Expressing the human spirit in any meaningful way, requires skills and for many, these are accomplished by instruction, thought, practical artistic development and the maintaining or promoting of high artistic standards.As I move about the Bermuda art community, I have come to know many of our local artists, indeed, many are my former students. Through our conversations, and by observing their artistic efforts I have learned about their strivings to attain high artistic standards. Of course they don’t actually speak about these standards, but by observing their skills and hearing in practical terms what they are attempting to do, I gain these insights. I also realise the difficulty that many face in their quest for excellence while at the same time striving to make a living. It is not easy to be a serious artist in Bermuda. I also meet those who are just beginning and for them such institutions as BSoA and the Bermuda Arts Centre provide a place to start exhibiting, as well as mingling and meeting with mature, successful artists. When I was teaching at Bermuda College, I encouraged my art students to join BSoA or BAC for these very reasons. Of course beginners need to be encouraged, but pitting them against established artists, as in the Charman Prize Exhibition, is not the way to go about it.The Masterworks Museum and the Bermuda National Gallery should be the local establishments that accommodate those who have matured as artists and who can fulfill those standards already mentioned. Having such an open-ended, everything-gets-in rule as has been the case with the Charman Prize Exhibition may be a popular approach, but in the long run, it will not do the Masterworks Museum or the local art community much good. From my experience, following the path of popularity leads to mediocrity. Pursuing excellence is a more difficult route, nevertheless, it is only way I know of to develop a credible reputation about which we can be proud.Mr Cser ends his letter by stating that the Masterworks Museum is one of the most remarkable organisations of its kind in the world and to a degree, in this we can both agree. There is much about this institution that is notable, not least its collection of art about Bermuda, and also its educational thrust. Still, in reviewing local art exhibitions, if I see aspects of an exhibition that I think need improvement, I will, for whatever it is worth, point them out. That does not mean that we will always be in agreement, but I would think the exhibition curators would at least, want to give it serious consideration. Criticism is not always pleasant, but if we are serious about making the Bermuda art world better, criticism is necessary. The debate that it engenders is also important and from that perspective, Mr. Laszlo’s views are welcome.CHARLES ZUILLSt George’s