he seventh Bacardi Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary Bermuda Art opens to the public today. Fifty artists survived the jurying process to participate in the mixed-media show at the Bermuda National Gallery, which includes sculpture, paintings, photography and installations.

The final 83 pieces were selected by two international jurors from 263 works submitted by 68 artists.

In their final statement, jurors Dr. Annette Blaugrund, director of the National Academy Museum and School of Fine Art in New York, and Professor Moe Brooker, department head of basic studies at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, praised the quality of work and talent of the artists.

?As people who deal with art on a daily basis, and who are exposed to art globally, we thought that the work we saw could have been presented anywhere in the world. While some paintings ? especially the landscapes ? reflected the local scene, most were not country-specific. Global access through improved electronic communications has united the art world.

?We saw a diversity of mediums, and a wide range of styles from the figurative and representational to the non-objective and abstract. The underlying theme we saw and experienced in meeting the artists was a passion for what they do, honestly, and integrity in use of materials and talent.?

The Biennial features work completed by Bermudian and resident artists between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005. It is open to all Bermudian artists on the Island or overseas, as well as foreign nationals who have been resident here for at least six months during the competition period.

Commenting on the gathered artwork, curator David Mitchell, who hung the show, said: ?While this Biennial includes its fair share of ?traditional? styles and subjects, with each exhibition we see an ongoing shift towards wider influences. For example, there are more photographers than ever before, and more elaborate installations. Regardless of style, the overriding impression of this year?s Biennial entries is the consistently high quality of their execution.?

The exhibition, which is presented in association with Island Construction Services, continues through September 1. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and admission is free.

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