One of the most famous names in the American art world will be giving a lecture at the Bermuda National Gallery tomorrow.

Mr. Kenneth Tyler, the dynamic founder, director and master printmaker of Tyler Graphics, will deliver "Ingenuity on Tap''.

His visit to Bermuda ties in with the Gallery's latest show, "Into Print'' which exhibits works by world-famous contemporary artists who work in close collaboration with Mr. Tyler. Indeed, his name is synonymous with the art of printing-making and a total of ten examples of prints from his studio are featured in this exhibition.

Almost single-handedly, this charismatic figure has transformed the craft of American printmaking into what has become a vibrant new art form. Combining his own strong art background with his technical knowledge of printing processes, he pioneered a host of innovations. These include new precision-printing methods and even handmade paper.

Today, he works in close collaboration with such names as Frank Stella, David Hockney, and Roy Lichtenstein, to name but a very few.

This collaboration takes place in what he calls his "dream shop'', a kind of artists' commune, where huge workshops, housing giant presses, galleries and living quarters provide a Utopian setting for this fusion of artistic endeavour. Typically, he refers to this state of the art complex as "a little place with everything under one roof''.

Mr. Tyler has virtually abolished the traditional distinction between "artist'' and "artisan'' -- not an easy task, in that it challenges the concept of the artist as the reclusive, often solitary creator. It was famed Time Magazine critic Robert Hughes who compared this new collaboration with that of the architect and the engineer.

Renowned as much for his gener osity as for his legendary energy and workaholic enthusiasm, Ken Tyler is a legendary friend to young artists.

He is one of the very few printers to have had two major books written on him.

More incredibly, the new and very beautiful Centre for Contemporary Graphic Art and Tyler Graphics Archive Collection has just been built in Japan.

Mr. Tyler's lecture, which is sponsored by the Reefs Hotel and Mr. and Mrs.

Hilton Hill, will take place tomorrow, November 2 in the Bermuda National Gallery at 5.30 for 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($10 for members) and advance reservations (295-9428) are strongly advised, as seating is limited.

TYLER'S PRINTS -- The specialised art of printmaking, as practised in Ken Tyler's famous workshop at Mount Kisco, New York. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Graphics Ltd.)