It's widely believed that the level of a society's social and intellectual development can be readily seen in the weight of it's art. Frankly, Bermuda doesn't produce a lot of heavy, thought provoking art (well at least not as much as she should!), but that's been changing recently, and this trend is not just a fad.

With painters like Robert Bassett, Vernon Clarke and Manuel Palacio living and working and creating in Bermuda, local art has no choice but to ascend into the limitless sky. Add to that writers like Andra Simons, Alan Smith and Lauren Francis, and you have an artistic community that the world is bound to hear about.

But what if a pair of these six decides to collaborate and create the kind of art that only artists can fully appreciate? Would this be lost on Bermuda's artistically challenged masses? Or would the masses rise to the occasion and re-invent themselves through their own art? Is this too much to ask? Perhaps... let's talk about the show.

Manuel Palacio's latest show was not as light and airy as the title suggests.

In fact, most of the pictures were dark and gloomy, owing more perhaps to the medium than the subject matter. You see, this show was quite a unique exhibition of artistic skill and human beauty.

The works on display were all the same in terms of content -- charcoal drawings of 20-plus nude models with the extraordinary poetry of Andra Simons written across each -- but this was not a bad thing. Many of the works were astoundingly beautiful, and revealed the artist's considerable skill with one glance. All the pieces were blessed with poetry that transcended human language at times, and shook our delicate sensibilities at others. I actually remember hearing one patron saying, "Well what kind of poetry did you expect?'' to a friend who was surprised at the raw emotion of `Rumble'.

`Stop!' and `Why are you here?' also expressed the kind of human emotion we only feel when we are naked.

Manuel's pencil captured much more than just images in these works, and Andra described each one with the skill of a master poet. But perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was the turn out! Kafu was packed from start to end with art lovers who looked, read, absorbed and appreciated the sheer majesty of works like `Monarch', `Pharaoh', `Aqui' and it's English counter `Here'.

They sipped wine and discussed the intricacies of `Kiskadee Song' and `Love is the daily tragedy of...' And then there was `Fuego' ... very nice. In fact, I found many of the works outstanding for reasons perhaps unbecoming of a critic, but ain't I still a guy? Enough with the questions, this show was tight! Right down to the poetic intermission which featured local superstars of poetry Joy Barnum, Lauren Francis and Laurel Monkman. DJ Beatnik handled the vibes with considerable flair, and the evening was, by all accounts, a smashing success! To find out more about Manuel Palacio check out www.mpalacio.bm, or go `round to Kafu Hair & Gallery (8 Parliament Street), where the entire collection will be displayed right up until December 31. They're all still on sale too! The poetry of Andra Simons and the other superstars can be heard every other Sunday at Flow Sunday, which is now located in the Rock Room at Oasis night club, or every other Wednesday at Nenu Letu (Hubie's Bar). Get out there and support our local artists Bermuda! The world is watching.

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