Minister highlights Bermuda-Portugal ties
Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, highlighted the contributions of Bermuda’s Portuguese immigrants last week.
Mr Darrell, who spoke at the opening of Alternative Voices:A Perspective on Contemporary Art from the Azores at the National Museum of Bermuda on June 6, said the island’s cultural fabric was “deeply connected with the people of the Azores, Madeira, Portugal and Cape Verde, and its origins can be traced back to the arrival of the ship Golden Rule in 1849”.
He noted that Bermudians of Portuguese descent made up a significant portion of the population.
“Many have become naturalised citizens, purchased homes, trained as doctors, lawyers, architects, filmmakers, accountants, educators and most importantly, positive change-makers for the island’s growth and society.
“This connection has endured, connecting Bermudians and the wider Portuguese diaspora internationally.”
Azorean artists Susana Aleixo Lopes, Leonor Almeida Periera and Filipe Franco created pieces for Alternative Voices.
Lisa Howie, co-curator of the exhibit, said: “While we recognise and appreciate that they are artists from the Azores, we also appreciate that they are talented contemporary artists whose work communicates gracefully within the context of the contemporary art movement around the world.
“Alternative Voices showcases the experimental nature of some of the talent from the Azores.”
Artist and curator Leonor Almeida Pereira uses water as metaphors for memory, identity and a sense of belonging in her work.
Artist Susana Aleixo Lopes, who studied visual arts at the University of Porto and sculpture at Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, Poland, participated in several exhibitions and artistic residencies internationally.
Artist Felipe Franco studied painting at Centro de Arte e Comunicação Visual in Lisbon and has taken part in several individual and collective exhibitions.
Curator Lisa Howie, former executive director of Bermuda National Gallery, founded Black Pony Gallery in 2019 and spearheaded the Atlantic World Art Fair, now known as Atlantic Arthouse, 2021.
Elena Strong, NMB executive director, said the display complemented the museum’s permanent exhibit, Azores and Bermuda, by “using contemporary art to provide a fresh opportunity to reconsider the cultural ties between the Azores and our shared Atlantic identity”.
Michael De Couto, chief digital marketing and marketing officer at Clarien, which sponsored the exhibit, said it represents the bank’s “commitment to celebrating and supporting the diverse fabric of our community, highlighting the significant influence of the Portuguese on Bermuda’s cultural and historical landscape”.
Families met the artists and created their own artwork during an event at the museum on Saturday.
Alternative Voices will be on display at NMB until October 7.
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