A project that started out as one man’s dream to give back to the community by doing what he does best, fine art photographic portraiture, is set to expand dramatically, growing from a one-man show into an umbrella of over a dozen photographers spread out throughout The Bahamas to capture the soul and spirit of the nation’s population.
News of the expansion and plans for the Bahamian Project, the brainchild of photographer Duke Wells and his wife, Lisa, who recorded and posted the year-long project, came at a press conference yesterday at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.
“I am very pleased to say that the response to the first year of the Bahamian Project has been incredibly positive and in our second year, I will be joined by a prestigious group of local photographic artists who have agreed to come on board and spread throughout the islands in their dedication to capture the character of the oh, so many Bahamians whose lives weave the fabric of Bahamian society,” said Wells. “We hope to photograph over 100 subjects for the second exhibition which will be held next July at the The Central Bank Gallery.
This year’s exhibit, “The Bahamian Collection,” was unveiled July 11 at the NAGB as part of the official activities of the 40th Anniversary of Independence. The exhibit was held under the patronage of the Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes.
“As we continue to document the character and preserve the legacy of Bahamians, from all walks of life and throughout all Islands of The Bahamas, we’ll take the show on the road,” Wells said.
The tour will take them to Abaco, Grand Bahama and islands further south as funding permits. Photographers joining the Bahamian Project for the upcoming year include Farreno Ferguson, Ben Jamieson, Donald Knowles, Guilden Gilbert Jr., Heino Schmid, Patrick Robinson, Sabrina Lightbourn, Simon Mott, Kishan Munroe, Rashad Penn, Scharad Lightbourne, James Adderley, Monty Knowles, Vaughn Scriven, Dimitrio Francisco, G. James Collie II, D’Angelo Reid, Lawrence Smith and Lisa Wells. Other photographers may be added.
Currently on exhibit at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) until October 20th, the Bahamian Collection is a series of large, black and white portraits featuring 40 well-known and not-so-well known figures in The Bahamas who have all made their contributions to the Bahamian experience, including former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Dame Marguerite Pindling, singer Bodine Johnson, artist Jamaal Rolle and Montagu’s conch man, Mr. Miller.
As a part of its continued community outreach, The Bahamian Project plans to increase its photography workshops throughout New Providence and the Family Islands, allowing eager young photographers to learn the basics of the craft.
For more information on The Bahamian Project and its plans for the next year, interested members of the public can visit the official website here at www.bahamianproject.com.
By Diane Phillips & Associates
Photos by Matthew Cromwell
Great to see the works of our Bahamian photographers on display….I really hope the exhibit makes it to Eleuthera
Yes, we have plans to bring the exhibit to Eleuthera and other Family Islands, before it travels the world.
My Wife and I were fortunate enough to visit the NAGB, by personal invitation of the Photographers, to The Bahamian Collection, while on vacation this summer. As we only had a few days, Duke and Lisa were kind enough to provide a private tour. All I can say of this experience is “WOW”! (And Thank You)
The exhibit was eloquently presented. Duke and Lisa not only express such great passion in their photography, but in conversation as well. The dialogue presented was as if Duke and Lisa had been personal friends of the subjects forever. Their delight in explaining each photo was like a bio into each of their lives. I now feel that I personally know each and every person in those photos. My only regret is that we will not be able to experience the continuation of this exhibit, as I heard it might expand, in the future.
If you can, visit the NAGB and experience this amazing and wonderful show of passion and excitement of the human spirit.
Michael and Karen – thank you for such lovely words. We really are passionate about this project because we firmly believe it is good for the Bahamas. We were so happy to show you around the exhibit and we appreciate deeply the time you took to view it, and how interested you were in hearing about why each of those individuals was selected. We thoroughly enjoyed the conversation.
The project is definitely expanding, we have already assembled an impressive team of photographers. We will be taking the project to the Family islands this year also.
We enjoyed visiting with you both and hope you will visit again.