Kim Tucker Exhibition

Bermuda Society of Arts

I have known Kim Tucker ever since she was an art student at Bermuda College, some 15 to 20 years ago and since then our paths have occasionally crossed. As I know, however, her present solo exhibition in one of the new, small galleries at the Bermuda Society of Arts is her first.

The exhibition includes ten pieces, mostly craft objects, but also two paintings. Despite some technical variety, there is a similarity of style.

I am hesitant to use the term "craft object", fearing it will be misunderstood. The word "craft" has multiple meanings but that is not the reason for my unease. My real disquiet concerns a prevailing attitude toward what is considered "craft", that suggests it is of lesser importance.

Many think "fine art", that is painting or sculpture is superior to the more utilitarian or the decorative arts.

I, myself, think otherwise. Good, honest design, skilfully produced, be it a painting, an illustration, a chair, a quilt or any other carefully and thoughtfully made ("crafted," if you prefer) object is a joy to behold and one is not intrinsically better than any other.

What makes me think that this negative attitude is alive and well, however, is manifested in the difference one sees in the price of paintings compared to the prices for so-called craft objects. How many would pay $19,000 for a chair? Some do not hesitate, even in Bermuda, to pay this much, or even more for a painting.

Half of Ms Tucker's show makes use of ceramic tiles. Tiles are the centrally most important part of three wall-hangings and two other pieces also make use of ceramic tiles as well.

Three other works utilise papier mache, one being a mask. The other two are a crash helmet like item and a decorative egg.

The two paintings are quite different from each other. One of them is a painting in every sense of the word. It is a traditional watercolour, with paint, applied by brush to paper and so on. The subject is a somewhat abstracted, colourful fish.

By contrast, the other "painting" is not your usual, traditional painting at all. In my notes, I used the word "collage" to describe it, but that is not exactly precise either. It is a design on a white, rectangular canvas. The subject, a circular, "doughnut" like form in the middle is flanked by two half "doughnuts," top and bottom, all made by applying cedar sawdust to canvas, by means, I suppose, of an adhesive of some kind. This "painting" is simple, but original and effective design.

Kim Tucker's art is thoughtful and skilful. I hope that this is only a beginning. I look forward to seeing many of her exhibitions.

The exhibition continues through September 19.