Artist honoured by BNG for his longstanding contribution
One of the founders of the Bermuda National Gallery has had a section of the facility named after him.
The Charles Zuill Project Space was named in recognition of Dr Zuill’s “longstanding contribution” to the gallery and the “pivotal role” he has played since it was established in 1992.
Dr Zuill set up a steering committee when the idea of a gallery was first mooted and is also a founding trustee.
An experimental mixed media artist known for his contemporary approach to abstraction, Dr Zuill, 89, has had his work exhibited at the BNG and in galleries overseas.
He taught art and art history at the Bermuda College for many years and is a longstanding art critic for The Royal Gazette.
Jennifer Phillips, the BNG’s executive director, said: “The naming of the Charles Zuill Project Space recognises Charles’s role in establishing the Bermuda National Gallery and acknowledges his continued support of BNG through serving on committees, leading workshops and talks, and offering curatorial suggestions at every turn.
“It celebrates his undeniable talent as a practising mixed media artist with a tremendous portfolio, whose work has been featured in numerous exhibitions both on-island and abroad.”
Dr Zuill said: “I’m very grateful for the honour. I’ve been involved with the gallery from the get-go.
“At the very beginning, when I was asked to put together a steering committee, I said ‘I don’t want to know if it’s feasible. I want to make it feasible’.
“If any space was going to be named after me, the project space seems to be the most appropriate because most of my life I’ve been experimenting with processes.”
Ms Phillips said that the naming of the gallery was made possible by an annual pledge from BNG trustee Paul Gurtler and his wife Sharon.
She said: “The relationship between Paul Gurtler and Charles Zuill spans decades, and the Gurtlers hold several of Charles’s works in their collection.
“On behalf of the trustees and staff at BNG, I thank them for this pledge, which honours a most deserving local artistic legend while supporting Bermuda National Gallery’s efforts in fulfilling our mission as the island’s premier art museum, to present world-class exhibitions, innovative programming and dynamic cultural experiences to inspire, educate and connect our diverse community.”