One of the more pleasant reminders of the passage of time is the regular recurrence of the Bermuda National Gallery's Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Bermuda Art.

Open to all Bermudian artists on the Island or overseas, as well as foreign nationals who have been resident in Bermuda for at least six months during the competition period, it is always greeted with great anticipation by artists and art lovers alike.

Following the members' official opening last evening, today it is the public's turn to see what passed muster with the international jurors and made it onto the walls of the elegant City Hall Gallery.

Of the more than 250 submissions by 68 artists, the jurors selected 86 works by 41 artists for exhibition. These include paintings, drawings, installations and photography. To qualify for entry, submitted works had to have been completed between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.

In addition to new works by established artists such as Sharon R. Wilson, Charman prize winner Katherine Harriott, Will Collieson, Vaughan and Amy Evans, Dana Cooper, Caroline Troncossi, Edwin M. E. Smith, Elizabeth Mulderig and Jill Amos Raine, the eighth Biennial also features new talent such as Frank Chiappa, Miles Manders, Charles Godet Thomas, Kok Wan Lee and Susan Pearson, who are exhibiting in the Biennial for the first time.

As with any exhibition, the viewer's judgment will be subjective. Some pieces will mystify, others will challenge or confound, and many will instantly please. Inevitably, some will ponder the jurors' reasoning, for which they have provided an explanation. In a joint statement, Mark Krisco, artist, curator, and instructor at the Art Institute of Chicago, and Franklin Sirmans, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Menil Collection in Houston, Texas, said: "We have particularly focused on the artists that have not hesitated beyond comfortable boundaries; artists whose work has led them to a place outside comfortable boundaries – a place that may even seem 'foreign' to them. It has been our experience that it is such artists who go out on a limb to create art that comes from a place deeper within themselves. Far beyond competence and ego, it is a place that all viewers will relate to aesthetically and soulfully."

In her overview of the exhibition, BNG director Laura Gorham supported the jurors' decisions, and said it was felt that this was the best Biennial ever. "Every two years, the Biennial presents a snapshot of our contemporary art scene, and this year the picture is as diverse, thought-provoking and innovative as ever. Indeed, we think it is one of the strongest ones we have ever mounted.

"The Biennial is a subjective selection by experienced and knowledgeable international jurors who are not familiar with Bermuda's artists. We believe this brings a fresh critical eye to Bermudian art, which selects work based on its artistic merit and quality. We also believe that by having the courage to submit to this process, local artists benefit enormously from the exposure, constructive criticism, prestige and understanding of how their work is considered in an international context."

Mrs. Gorham also acknowledged the generosity of title sponsor Bacardi Limited, and first-time associate sponsor Royal Caribbean International.

"We are once again extremely grateful to the generous sponsorship of Bacardi Limited as our title sponsor. This is the sixth Biennial to bear the company's name, and we cannot overstate the value of this consistent support as it allows us to focus on presenting the best possible exhibition for our artists and our audience. We are also delighted to welcome 'on board' Royal Caribbean International as our associate sponsors."

In congratulating the BNG on "upholding the excellence of the arts" with the traditional exhibition, Bacardi Limited Bermuda's managing director Michael Brennan said his company viewed its association with it as "an enormous honour".

Similarly, Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said that as "strong advocates for the preservation and promotion of the arts and resident Bermudian artists", the shipping line was " very pleased and excited" to join Bacardi Limited as a sponsor in ensuring the exhibition's success.

"Our annual cruise passenger surveys have vividly captured our clients' appreciation of Bermuda's unique culture and arts," he continued. "More recently, they have discovered the art treasures positioned as the 'Sculpture Gardens' within Par-La-Ville Park, and we are delighted to learn that more than 50 percent of the visitors to the Bermuda National Gallery are cruise passengers."

This year's Biennial is accompanied by a 100-plus page catalogue which, for the first time, illustrates all of the works in the exhibition. It also includes an essay by Bermudian scholar Dr. Christina Storey, who holds a PhD in modern history from Oxford University, and a BA degree in history and literature from Harvard, in which she examines the role of both collections and exhibitions in the development of the museum as an institution, and looks specifically at the special place that a biennial has as a potent type of exhibition.

Another 'first' is the production of a documentary film by Antoine Hunt in which BNG curator Sophie Cressall and education director Lisa Howie interview the artists, an excerpt of which will be included on the BNG's website – www.bng.bm – in addition to individual pages devoted to each of the Biennial artists. A complementary programme of lectures, educational events and panel discussions featuring many of the Biennial artists has also been drawn up for the months ahead. For further information see website www.bermudanationalgallery. com or telephone 295-9428.

The Biennial will continue through September 4.