in the hospitality industry, first impressions mean everything, forming the basis for a dynamic and meaningful guest experience that will make The Bahamas a standout global destination.
To that end, Baha Mar's art team, The Current, is coordinating thousands of art moments across the $3.5 billion development to ensure that guests will be inundated with Bahamian culture from the moment they arrive at the luxury destination resort in spring 2015.
One of the first major projects to near completion is a series of four large murals by Bahamian master artist Max Taylor, which will greet guests in The Grand Hyatt lobby with rich depictions of Bahamian life.
A painter, printmaker and ceramicist, Taylor has rightfully earned his place as a master visual artist in Bahamian art history. Utilizing a variety of creative techniques and styles, he addresses a range of subject matter in his creative practice, making him one of the most versatile artists practicing in The Bahamas today.
Over the past few months, Taylor has been steadily painting the murals in The Current art studio, bringing together abstracted figures, geometric shapes and hand-applied linoleum patterns in myriad colors to form breathtaking tributes to Bahamian people, history and culture.
"It looks at different types of history in The Bahamas--of culture, in performance, in music, of art itself--and sets a festive tone for The Bahamian Riviera," said Baha Mar Creative Artistic Director John Cox. "It's powerful and proud. But mostly it's a large expansion of decades of experience that this master artist has shared with us."
Taylor worked with loose themes of festivity and Bahamian life to craft a dynamic narrative. Letting the particular details come to him in the moment and inspired by the range of colors at his disposal, Taylor steadily crafted the masterpieces layer by rich layer.
Taylor's murals are just one of the thousands of opportunities for Baha Mar's guests from all around the world to learn about Bahamian visual art, culture and way of life.
"One thing I think about Bahamian artists, most of them have the ability to do anything, any project," said Taylor. "A Bahamian artist does not always get this opportunity, especially on such a broad scale, so I think Baha Mar is a fantastic opportunity. I'd really like to say thanks for choosing me as one of the artists to be part of this global platform."
The Current is the unifying force behind the collective art moments across Baha Mar, from the reproductions and site-specific commissions informing the guest experience to the rotating exhibitions and artist residencies in three gallery spaces within the development. Visit facebook.com/thecurrentart to find out more, or email art@bahamar.com.
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