Thursday 20th June 2013  7:30 PM

Documentary on Bahamian abstract expressionist screened at NAGB
June 20,2013
7:30pm
The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

?Brigidy bram? is a figure of speech that Hanna has coined in his unique vernacular, a tribute to the interconnection of seemingly unrelated events.
Through the lens of Hanna?s memories, the feature documentary explores his traumatic younger years when, during his 20s, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and prescribed an experimental treatment of intensive electric shock therapy (later found to be ineffective at treating the disorder).

After Hanna?s release from the institution two years later, he returned to painting in order to recover his motor capabilities and mental acuity. Now 76, Hanna is one of the country?s most celebrated and prolific artists, releasing work deemed ?carefully considered and contemplated, provocative and masterful,? says artist Dionne Benjamin-Smith.

Hanna?s work might have gone unnoticed to this day had it not been for the discerning eye and efforts of the late Vincent D?Aguilar, who became Kendal?s first and foremost collector. Subsequently, art and antiques dealer Jay Koment and former NAGB Director Erica James discovered what Koment characterizes as ?a gold mine? of paintings in Kendal?s apartment a little over a decade ago. Now Hanna?s pieces are collected everywhere, from Hawaii to Hong Kong, and his work is revered in the Bahamian art community [...]