one-man show at the Burnaby Gallery, tomorrow's opening will definitely not be a case of deja-vu.

Entitled `New Bermuda Paintings', the collection will be just that, and it will also represent a departure from Mr. Ward's usual larger canvases.

"I have brought in smaller pieces, and I have gone for more intimate paintings simply because I have used this year as a sabbatical from my larger projects,'' he explains. "In the new series I fell back on my other interests, such as Velasquez, Rembrandt, Lucien Freud and so on, and in making smaller sketches and little portraits.'' In fact, the artist says that the past year has been a fascinating one because he has been able to expand many of his areas of interest, and the little paintings, which he terms "explorations'', are in response to the influences he wishes to bring back into his work.

Having previously completed two series of large, themed canvases -- one on fashion models, and the other a frieze of artists, writers and creators, which was exhibited in the Biennial exhibition at the Bermuda National Gallery, Mr.

Ward hopes that his recent expansion as an artist will be invaluable in undertaking future large projects.

"Even a big painting is a succession of small areas,'' he explains. "A portrait, for example, starts from the eyes and works outwards, so it is a succession of small paintings which come together. If it is done right nothing can be added to or subtracted from it -- like a piece of Renaissance architecture.

"The integrity of the overall structure is the same for the parts, so the aim in a painting, big or small, is to get continuity and conciseness so that everything that is there is essential, and everything that is not isn't.'' There will be approximately 15 paintings in Mr. Ward's new exhibition, including what he calls "my typical landscapes, and little figure head shots''. The former will be "freer'' in approach, while the figure paintings will feature "some paintings in bonnet and ruff''.

"That idea actually happened by accident,'' he explains of the latter. "I was working on a piece that wasn't working, and I was looking at a Rembrandt at the time and saw his bonnet and ruff, so I got a friend to sit there with something over their head. Then I used source material from Rembrandt to add to the ruff.'' So pleased was the artist with the result that he then created several more in similar vein.

Mr. Ward's new exhibition will also include what he terms "a strange exception''.

"At certain points during the making of artwork all of us realise that we are no good at what we are doing, and I subsequently realised how limited my capacities as a painter are,'' he says, whereupon he resorted to "examining serious material more closely'' -- an exercise which included studying the work of artists to whom he "owes a debt of gratitude''.

"In this way, there is one painting in the show that is a direct copy of a Rembrandt, except that it has been cut down,'' the artist hints.

Describing the past year as "bizarre'', Mr. Ward says that, having been confined to his studio for the past five years, be it in New York, England or Bermuda, he is now ready for change and is currently weighing up several options.

"There is a possibility that I will be doing a year-long residency as a visiting scholar at the University of Shanghai,'' he explains, "but if that doesn't pan out I will maybe go abroad to Spain or somewhere and spend a year examining the culture.'' He does, however, propose keeping his New York studio "so that once I have seen fresher fields and new influences I can bring them back into my studio work.'' To do so will follow in the footsteps of one of Mr. Ward's major artistic influences -- John Singer Sargent, whose extensive travels North America, Europe and England are reflected in his paintings.

While he enjoys America, he says that his home is "within him'', and he has trained himself hopefully to work "in any situation''.

Meanwhile, he expresses pleasure at being back among his "brotherhood of friends'' in Bermuda -- fellow artists Vernon Clarke, Graham Foster, Jonah Jones and Manuel Palacio.

"I really enjoy their work in the galleries, and I urge everyone to go and see it when it comes up.'' Mr. Ward trained at the University of Southampton's Winchester School of Art, the University of London's Goldsmith's College, and London's Chelsea School of Art. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Fine Art and History, and a Master's degree in Contemporary Art Theory. He has exhibited in London; Ontario, Canada and New York, and has received several awards for his work.

Following tomorrow evening's reception at the Burnaby Gallery, `New Paintings by Henry Ward' will be open to the public until February 13. Admission is free. For further information telephone 292-8614 Return visit: Bermudian artist Henry Ward returns to the Burnaby Gallery tomorrow with a one-man show of paintings entitled `New Bermuda Pictures.'