Her address, entitled `The cult of the stereotype at the turn of the century', will examine why contemporary African-American artists are recycling and incorporating into their work the racist caricatures originally created in the 19th century by European-American artists to ridicule African-Americans.

Her lecture will also review how the early images were understood, and how they were effective in their time. In addition, Ms Mercer will examine the strategies used by contemporary artists Robert Colescott, Kara Walker, Michael Ray Charles and Ellen Gallagher to construct neo-stereotypical images intended to reflect post modern ideas about race, identity and representation.

Ms Mercer is the former senior curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, and holds a Master of Arts degree in art history from Harvard University.

The evening will begin at 5.30 p.m. with refreshments, followed by the lecture at 6 p.m. Tickets (members $10, others $15) are available from the Gallery's front desk. For further information 295-9428.

Individual film tickets for the Bermuda International Film Festival went on sale at the Visitors' Service Bureau box office yesterday.

Forty-nine films from 20 countries will be shown during the Festival, both during the afternoon and evening. Twenty-three features and 26 shorts will be screened, using both the Liberty and Little Theatres.

The Festival is on from April 20-26.

For further information 293-3456, or the box office 295-1727.