"Bahamian Icons: Past, Present and Future" Exhibition At the D'Aguilar Art Foundation Closes April 17, 2012

Oftentimes, a single piece of artwork can define an individual artist, a sweeping era, or a life-changing moment in time. Deeply embedded in our cultural consciousness, such work becomes legend and the artist an icon. The work is reproduced so often that to see it in person is a rich moment for the viewer.

Portrait of art collector and patron Vincent D'Aguilar by Bahamian artist Lynn Parotti

Such is the thought behind the current exhibition at The D'Aguilar Art Foundation,"Bahamian Icons: Past, Present and Future", which effectively explores Bahamian art history through its most memorable work by Bahamian masters and identifies the artists who will continue to define the cultural landscape.

Because the D'Aguilar collection contains a complete cross-section of Bahamian artwork, the exhibition acts as a history lesson in notable Bahamian masterpieces and predicts those to come, says the curator of the exhibition, Holly Parotti.

"We looked at each artist, each piece, and we made sure each piece really reflected that artist's work and what they're doing and what they're capable of doing," said Parotti. "A lot of people can come in and access these pieces because they recognize them, just because they have been synonymous with that artist and their portfolio."

Indeed both Bahamians and visitors alike will find a rich legacy of art and culture in this sampling of work alone. From Brent Malone's "Lucayan Goddess", Roland Rose's "Bereaved", Rolfe Harris'"Junkanoo Drummer (Freedom Dreams)" and John Beadle's "Conjure Woman", to work by Lavar Munroe, Dede Brown, Dionne Benjamin-Smith and Claudette Dean, the exhibition captures the evolution of Bahamian art through the decades...........

Click HERE for full article by Sonia Farmer in The Guardian.

Click HERE to visit the D'Aguilar Art Foundation website.