Press Statement by The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Desmond Bannister On the passing of Mr. Amos Ferguson

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is greatly saddened at the passing this morning of Bahamian artistic icon Mr. Amos Ferguson.

Mr. Ferguson is considered one of the most-recognised “intuitive” Bahamian painters and one of the most internationally-successful artists, with his paintings being in galleries around the world and in the private collections of persons such as the Queen of England and countless celebrities and collectors.

His paintings emphasised his deep religious beliefs and were a constant theme throughout his long career of artistic expression. Born in Exuma in 1920, Mr. Ferguson made his home and studio for a long time in Nassau on Exuma Street, now called Amos Ferguson Street.

This act alone was an inspiration for many inner-city youth who saw that a person from their community could be a success. He was a self-taught artist and his work is now in the private collections of such galleries as the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, in Brooklyn, New York, the DuSable Museum of African-American History, Inc., in Chicago; the Museum of International Folk Art, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe; and The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York City.

However, most importantly, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas has more than 20 twenty of his works as part of the National Collection of The Bahamas.

It is hoped that this will encourage more young Bahamians to see the talent and simplistic beauty of the work of a Bahamian whose faith in God and love for country was unwavering and an example for all.

We, at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture extend our sympathy to Mr. Ferguson’s family and to those who were blessed to have him in their lives. We express our gratitude for the part he played in not only promoting the cultural importance of The Bahamas throughout the world, but also the legacy that he has left for future Bahamians.