The island’s agency in the capital of the European Union has celebrated the work of one of Bermuda’s artists.

The Bermuda Government’s Brussels Office featured Gherdai Hassell at its inaugural cultural diplomacy event, organised by intern Nahjé Smith, in the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts in the Belgian capital city.

It came with a collage workshop and a tour of the When We See Us exhibition, which showcased Ms Hassell’s artwork entitled A Song for Many Movements.

The piece, which debuted on the island in 2021 at the Bermuda National Gallery in the artist’s first solo exhibition, was seen by guests from the Brussels diplomatic and cultural communities.

Aliyyah Ahad, the head of the Brussels Office, said: “We are so thrilled that Gherdai was selected as one of the 120 late and living artists to be included in this groundbreaking exhibition.

“While most of the Brussels Office’s work focuses on defending Bermuda’s economic interests, as Bermuda expands its presence on the international stage it is also important to create platforms to promote and celebrate Bermuda’s culture and creatives.

“Gherdai’s work exemplifies the strength, creativity and global relevance of Bermudian artistry.”

Ms Hassell, who holds degrees from the China Academy of Art and the University of North Carolina Greensboro, has exhibited internationally, with recent shows in Britain, the US and the Bahamas as well as Bermuda.

Her work explores the history of identity within the African diaspora through collage, textile and portraits.

Ms Hassell said: “It’s an honour to represent Bermuda in Brussels and to be a part of this first cultural initiative by the Government’s European office.

“Art is a universal language and this event was a powerful reminder of its ability to connect people back to themselves through creativity.”

The exhibition closes in Brussels next week and will then travel to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.