Buxomed, big bottomed, brown bag women silouttess ? that have escaped from a paper bag ? dance joyously on a white backdrop at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard.

Judy Wong?s, ?Bag Lady? is but one of the creative interpretations of the current exhibit, ?101 Things to do with a Paper Bag?. Given the theme I find myself fascinated with the pieces in which paper bags are obvious.

?Hurricane Fabian?, by Diana Tetlow, is a wall mounted sculpture in brown paper of the fierce blowing head that often depicts wind on maps. Out of it?s mouth blows curls of paper balanced by similar curly, bushy eyebrows.

Also in brown paper she has created origami frogs and small water proofed brown bags used as flower vases with freesias in them contributing a delightful smell to the gallery. Sculpture seems to be an obvious way to use paper bags.

Delight Goodfellow used brown paper to make an off centre lampshade, with the light fixture itself in a paper bag, and a whimsical kite, from Whites bags.

?Twist, Knot, Weave ? Pool? and ?Wave? are 2 pieces by Kendra Ezekiel. Paper bags were twisted into rope then woven, tightly and loosely, into forms. What looks at a distance like turquoise polypropylene rope, is actually coloured bag.

Making use of the crinkled effect of brown bags, which surprising few people did, is Judith Davidson in the background for ?Spinnakers Flying?, on which are mounted magnificent plant material.

?Christmas Ornaments? by Jean Hallat are amazingly round balls of paper sprayed gold, dressed with ribbon they make wonderful ornaments. Also incredibly crafted are her ?Blue Cow Gift Boxes? which include envelopes and change purses.

The mottled blue ink is very pleasant with wonderful ribbon accents. One of the most playful pieces is Joyce Beal?s ?Easter Bunny?, which is embellished with old man?s beard, leaves and other plant material.

?Copper Fandangle? is brown paper decoupage over ceramic by Suzie Lowe. The paper is not obvious in this rectangular wall mounted sculpture in brown and with wonderful coloured accents, ledges and dangling copper.

In the centre of the gallery are ceramic bowls, and larger irregular vessels, by Julie Hastings-Smith in pleasing browns. They were smoked with paper bags.

A series of papier-m?ch? fish by Janet Percy are bright and fun, with gills that look if they are waving. In total contrast nearby are ?When Confusion Reigns it Pours?, five abstract studies on white, by Peter Lapsley.

They all have a splash of black ink and an amoeba like figure which shows, at centre, the underlying brown paper bag. In ?Ethnic Bag Lady? acrylic paint covers the paper, and the effect is brightly coloured patchwork fabric squares making her skirt and top on a cardboard model with a turban headdress.

Several artists collaborated to create a large piece made of letter envelopes with paintings that match the stamps. It?s intense and interesting and letters obviously were going back and forth for awhile.

Like many of the pieces in this show the proceeds from any sale will go to support the Arts Centre which is in financial difficulties. ?Short Stories? by Margie Harriott is the only piece that really makes use of words.

There are about 80 photos of paper bags in different scenes from the beach to the front of City Hall, it?s a very well travelled and witty bag. Sue Rebello has turned what looks like they were cardboard bags into other bags.

?Venus Versace: Goddess Shoulderbag? looks ready to come off its hook and go out on the town. There are in this show are three incredible mixed media sculptures by Lynn Morrell.

?Dryad? is an incredible, exultant papier mache wood nymph. And ?World Tree? has exquisite roots and base. One of the most wonderful pieces in the show is ?Sheilding? by Rebecca Payne.

Ripped paper bags have been glued together to form an 8 foot ?canvas? on it is ink drawn a figure in ink with the most intricate patterns and cross hatching from foot to horned head.

The dark green streaked paint background makes it darker and more fascinating.

@EDITRULE:

?101 Things to do with a Paper Bag? will be on at the Bermuda Arts Centre in Dockyard until April 16, 2004.