In The Ring with Bahamian Artist Toby Lunn: Truth Revealed Part 2

Today's post is our full interview with Bahamian artist, Toby Lunn! Instead of choosing a few questions to answer, one of our lovely visitors kindly requested that we display footage for all of the questions. We hope you enjoy the interview. The questions from the interview are displayed below the video for your viewing pleasure.



1. Did you always wanted to be an artist?
2. What inspired your work?
3. What is your medium of choice? Why?
4. Least favorite and why?
5. Is there a connection between religion and your work?
6. Lifestyle versus profession?
7. When did you know you were an artist? You’re arrival?
8. What is an artist?
9. What would you do if were not creating art?
10. Favorite color? Any?
11. Technique styles, what is your process?
12. Do you think you can ruin a painting? What do you do when it happens?
13. If you could display your artwork anywhere, where would it be? Include location and art institution.
14. How important is classical training to an artist in your opinion?
15. Right- brain versus left-brain? What does this mean? Which are you, right, left or in the middle?
16. You are inspired by the Burnside brothers, Max Taylor and of course Kendal Hanna. What inspiration do you draw from these artists?

-JB

Feel free to send us a comment or email, we look forward to hearing from you!

In the Ring with Bahamian Artist Toby Lunn: Truth Revealed Part I

Choose the questions you want to have Toby Lunn answer. Select the number of the questions and place them in the comment box below. Entries will be accepted until Monday, November 28th at 4pm. On Tuesday, November 29th, 2011, the answers will be provided.

1. Did you always wanted to be an artist?

2. What inspired your work?

3. What is your medium of choice? Why?

4. Least favorite and why?

5. Is there a connection between religion and your work?

6. Lifestyle versus profession?

7. When did you know you were an artist? You’re arrival?

8. What is an artist?

9. What would you do if were not creating art?

10. Favorite color? Any?

11. Technique styles, what is your process?

12. Do you think you can ruin a painting? What do you do when it happens?

13. If you could display your artwork anywhere, where would it be? Include location and art institution.

14. How important is classical training to an artist in your opinion?

15. Right- brain versus left-brain? What does this mean? Which are you, right, left or in the middle?

16. You are inspired by the Burnside brothers, Max Taylor and of course Kendal Hanna. What inspiration do you draw from these artists?

Visually Inclined: The Architecture of the NAGB

For today's post we decided to give our viewers a break from all the reading they have done over the past 2 months. Instead, we are sharing 3 videos made in 2004 featuring past NAGB staff members and the former director, Dr. Erica James.

These videos detail the advent of the NAGB and the creative processes and struggles that its founding members dealt with when constructing the building.







If you'd like to see more videos from the NAGB, subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking here.
The direct url for those who want it is, http://www.youtube.com/user/NAGB2003.

Feel free to send us a comment or email, we look forward to hearing from you!

Feature from the National Collection: Burnside Crowns a King

Solomon
Oil on Canvas
72in. x 72in.
2000
Collection of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
If a visitor to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas were to wander into the office, which is found on the second floor, and take a turn to the left, one of the first things one would see is a larger than life painting of a gentlemen gazing back at the viewer with a contemplative and peaceful expression on his face. This is Stanley Burnside’s feature piece, “Solomon”.

The viewer might ask, why is he wearing a crown? What’s with the colorful leaves to the upper right of the canvas? Why is the sea only on the right of the gentleman’s shoulder? And the purple to the left, what’s that about? To answer these questions two men of importance need to be briefly mentioned.

The first is the late Macfarlane Gregory Anthony Mackey, also knows as Tony Mackey and known to most Bahamians as the musical performer, Exuma: The Obeah Man. Born in Cat Island, Mackey wrote and sang prolific songs about Bahamian culture that continues to resonate with visitors and Bahamians today.

The second man is King Solomon, credited as the wisest and richest and most powerful king in the Bible.

The dots begin to connect as the viewer gradually sees Mackey through Burnside’s eyes. Burnside creates a bold commemorative piece of art that recognizes Mackey’s memory and status as a leader at what he did. Mackey’s face is given life with the vivid use of color. The yellows and browns seem to reflect the very light of the sun. The artist chose the color purple to fill the space to the left of Mackey’s face, undoubtedly a reference to the esteem Burnside feels Mackey deserves.

The croton leaves, a native plant grown in The Bahamas, are placed to the upper right of the canvas. It would not be too far removed to say that this alludes to the vibrancy of Mackey’s culture and his deep roots in The Bahamas. Behind Mackey’s right shoulder Burnside placed a view of the sea, another clear symbol of Mackey’s Caribbean roots. The viewer shouldn’t ignore the crown that sits snugly over Mackey’s locks, this is Burnside’s assertion of Mackey’s wisdom and kingly status in Bahamian history.

We sympathize with the viewer who pauses expectantly in front of the image waiting on Mackey to burst into song. The peaceful gaze itself readies the viewer for a calm, wise word that only a king could give. Perhaps you’ll have a different experience all together, but there is only one way to find out.

-NP

Visit the NAGB today and see Burnside’s “Solomon” for yourself. Feel free to send us a comment or email, we look forward to hearing from you!

Review: Two Workshops, One Day, Two Stars!

This past Saturday the NAGB was a busy and bustling place! From 10 AM to 4 PM the Education department hosted a very successful teachers workshop, complete with an in depth tour of the gallery grounds, a hands-on abstract workshop with Toby Lunn, exhibition tour, finally ended with a round table discussion on strengthening the relationship between the NAGB and teachers. From 10 AM to 1 PM the Curatorial department hosted an abstract painting workshop with Toby Lunn and we were even fortunate enough to have Kendal Hanna himself come and interact with workshop members.

Preparing for the In The Likeness workshop with the Curatorial and Education teams!


In The Likeness: NAGB 2011 Teachers Workshop



In The Likeness: Workshop with Toby Lunn.



Feel free to send us a comment or email, we look forward to hearing from you! Remember to subscribe to our blog to get the latest information on news and activities at the NAGB.

The All-Star Amateur Artists Night: Flyer, Rules and Application Form

Calling All Amateur Artists! The NAGB announces the launch of a new NAGB art initiative designed to encourage and engage amateur artists in The Bahamas: The All-Star Amateur Artists Night! If you are an amateur, non-professional artist, submit your work and possibly get the opportunity to be featured in a museum level exhibition at the NAGB. Pass the word!

Below is the Promotional Flyer, Rules of Entry and Application Form. If there are any problems, please call the NAGB at 328-5800 or email us at nagbaaa.bs.@gmail.com.

Flyer:
Promotional Flyer OR



Rules of Entry:
The All-Star Amateur Artist Night: Rules of Entry OR


The All-Star Amateur Artist Night: Rules of Entry



Application Form:
The All-Star Amateur Artist Night: Application Form OR


The All-Star Amateur Artist Night: Application Form

Feel free to send us a comment or email, we look forward to hearing from you! Also "like" our Facebook page to get the latest updates and information!
NAGB Facebook Page

Feature: A Look into the role of the Curatorial Trainee

Curatorial Trainee, Averia Wright speaking at the beginning of My Kid Could Paint That.
Curatorial Trainee, Nastassia Pratt hard at work preparing for an event.
At the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, the job of the curatorial trainee begins with the preparation and execution of an exhibition; however, this is not where it ends.

From the moment a curator has an idea or plan for an exhibition, the job of the curatorial trainee is set into motion. Alongside the curatorial assistant(s), the trainee(s) begin to hunt and gather. Vital information about artists and collectors are recorded and later contacted. The next step involves transporting pieces from collector’s homes and institutions, then photographing artwork to be placed in gallery storage. The photographs are little snippets of the art that allows the curator to peruse, and file away the art in their mind for framing ideas and final placement in the gallery space. Identifying mediums, measurements, artists, dates and collections for labeling is another task that has to be meticulously fulfilled for the exhibition and/or catalogue.

The de-installation of an exhibition takes place in the middle of the preparations for the next exhibition and requires paperwork for artwork being returned to collectors and artists. Art that belong in the NAGB collection are placed in storage. The handling of the artwork is dependent on the curatorial team and is carefully and swiftly implemented to have the pieces back in their owner’s possession. Any plans for the present exhibitions are followed through at this point. When the hanging, placement of artwork and lighting for each space is completed, the opening for the exhibition is held. Setting up is executed by the curatorial staff, and specific needs such as whether a mike, stage, podium, seating and/or lighting are all taken into consideration. Opening night is a grand occasion that presents the exhibition to the community at large.

Trainees take daily walkthroughs through the gallery to ensure pieces have not shifted, that the gallery is clean, the temperatures are comfortable and that the gallery is properly lit. Another exciting part of the curatorial trainee position is carrying patrons and visitors on tours of the exhibition. Leading the audience though the exhibition allows the tour guide to portray the message that the curator had in mind. The response from the viewers takes the tour to another level of appreciation and conversation about the artist and artwork.

As curatorial trainees, assisting other positions in the gallery such as public programming, research and gallery promotions allows for a smooth operation. The education officer arranges educational events and the curatorial team gives input on the organization and help to bring the event to fruition. The gallery is also reserved for private events and the trainees makes provisions for these events, whether opening up the gallery or, allowing guests to feel welcome. Also finding ways to promote membership and the gallery itself is constantly on trainee’s minds.

Curatorial trainees are perched into the world of the curator and are taught the complete functioning of the gallery, in hopes to further their role in the future.

-AW

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Villa Doyle

The Villa Doyle.
One day the Curatorial Team was digging through an old filing cabinet of loose papers, folders, fliers and binders. After digging through the heap for some time, nestled sweetly at the bottom of the pile was this vintage photo of the Villa Doyle (the original name of the building that the NAGB currently resides in) sometime in the 20th century.

This is not a photo of the original Villa Doyle, though the first half of the building encompasses the original structure of the building. The building in the photo, this large and beautiful structure, was taken after the building had been expanded upon by the owners, making it what it is today.

We hope you enjoyed this informative little tid-bit on the history of the NAGB!

Feel free to send us a comment or email, we welcome feedback and critique, we look forward to hearing from you!

Feel free to send us a comment or email, we look forward to hearing from you! Also "like" our Facebook page to get the latest updates and information!
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November Trivia

Once a month Mixed Media would like to give our viewers a chance to interact with us with a small trivia game! There can only be one grand prize winner, the first person to respond to us will receive the grand prize from the National Art Gallery and the first 10 correct responses will receive a small token from the gallery.

Either comment on this post (leaving your contact information as well) or email Mixed Media at mixedmediablog.nagb@gmail.com with your responses from the quiz! Remember, the first to answer all questions correctly will receive the prize.

Mixed Media November Trivia:
What is the title of the present exhibition?

Who curated the present exhibition?

What’s the name of the gallery store?

Who is the librarian at the NAGB?

What is the name of the original building the NAGB currently resides in?

When did construction of the original building commence?

Which artist created the Crawfish Woman sculpture found on the southern side of the building?

Thanks for participating and we hope to hear from you!

Update: CONGRATULATIONS to Erin Knowles, our grand prize winner! We're still have 10 small tokens to give away!

Feel free to send us a comment or email, we look forward to hearing from you! Also "like" our Facebook page to get the latest updates and information!
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