Well, not quite… But it will be! I’ve just confirmed with the Bermuda Society of Arts that I will have a solo art show in September!
I haven’t had an art show since university so this is all a little daunting really. But I’ve felt an urge to do it and also felt some prodding from close friends (thanks T, pretty sure I’m bruised). So here is what I’m thinking: I love photography and I have perhaps what some might call an unhealthy obsession with typography. For example - Life Goal: to create a font that comes standard on computers. But anyway… I want to combine my two interests and create a show which embodies what I’ve been thinking a lot about lately - inspiration and empowerment.
Beauty is something I think about a lot (in this context, not in relation to humans). Bermuda has an ugly side, and some of that can leak into every day life and make us forget exactly how lucky we are to live on this island. A place that consistently lands on lists for the most beautiful beaches in the world. I’m not necessarily interested in that rosy tinted view of beauty - although I do appreciate it, immensely. Instead, I’m interested in the places which may not look conventionally beautiful.
Is there a way to take a picture of a place which isn’t your standard idea of beautiful and turn it into a profoundly gorgeous place? I think there is - with words.
Flashback time! When I was little, when adults asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I generally didn’t have a great answer, I was and still am pretty indecisive. But if you were around, you’d commonly hear me say I wanted to be an artist. Years after, when adults stopped asking that question, I had a disinterested art teacher. If anyone had asked, I would have told them I wanted to be a journalist. At the time I enjoyed writing (I mean, let’s be honest, I still do) and I thought journalism meant just writing stuff you like. So I applied to universities as a journalism major, and got in. When I finally took a journalism class I realized how completely naive I had been. Journalism was and still is centered around politics. And boy do I hate that. So I made a switch back to my initial love, art.
Back to the relative present! The market crashes, there’s jobs for no one and in particular no one in the art industry. Somehow I land a job in the news of all places and eventually end up becoming a reporter. I’m writing and find creative ways to talk about boring things… and it’s awful. So I leave that job and go to work in a highly creative, art-influenced job as a jeweler. But my love for words has not wavered.
I say all that to say this: As a collector of quotes, profound words and lyrics, and as an eternal creative, this show I’ve booked is the perfect opportunity to make my history mash together. Beautiful pictures juxtaposed with beautiful words which only work together to enhance each element. I don’t know what it will be called as yet, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted.
In the mean time, what are your favorite quotes that inspire you? What are your favorite places on the island which bring you calm and center you? What would you like to see? What would you like to buy? One of my biggest inspirations is my tribe - let me know in the comments what you want to see and become part of that tribe!