For many people art galleries and beauty salons may not be the perfect match, but for Glen Wilks art and beauty are one and the same.

Mr. Wilks is the artistic director at Kafu Hair & Gallery on Parliament Street in Hamilton, Bermuda's only boutique salon. The aim is for clients to be able to enjoy art while relaxing in a calming environment and having professionals care for their needs.

Mr. Wilks, who has been in Bermuda for nearly 20 years, is originally from Jamaica where he attended the College of Arts, Science and Technology and studied to be an engineer. It was his younger sister's indecisiveness that caused him to change course.

"There was this place that I always used to pass on my way to work and I just really liked the look of it, the people that came in and out of it," he said. "I later discovered that it held courses [ for hair stylists]. My sister had finished school and didn't know what to do so I recommended that she check it out.

"She asked me to pick up the forms for her as I passed by it every day.

"As I was walking out of there with forms for my sister I had a light bulb moment and grabbed a form for me. I guess you could say it was my destiny. In the end I went there and my sister didn't."

Soon after completing his training he won the Black Hair Olympics for his work in hairstyling. He then attended courses at Wella, an internationally acclaimed training programme in Germany.

"The idea was that I would go back and be their rep in the Caribbean," he said. "But then I stopped in London on my way back and just stayed there."

While there he studied advanced cutting at Vidal Sassoon and freelanced. Nearly 20 years ago he decided it was time for a change but Bermuda was not first on his list. In fact the only reason Mr. Wilks made it to Bermuda's shores is that paperwork to gain a visa for the US took a longer time.

He worked at two salons locally before Kafu was created eight years ago. It was a perfect fit for him.

"It's about treating the whole person," he said. "And also we've been an art gallery since the start. We show people's work and I've shown mine before."

He believes the salon's mission explains it all: "Our philosophy is to deliver a totally uplifting experience by combining a personalised hair care ritual with unique aroma therapeutic ambience, relaxation and well-being in the hands of well trained professionals."

On a client's first visit to Kafu a consultation is done to assess their hair type and condition, plus the client's state of mind. Based on this assessment the most suitable therapy for the hair scalp and senses is recommended. A personal file is also prepared and referred to whenever the client visits.

Among some of the unique services at Kafu are complimentary herbal teas and coffee to match your mood, Qigong (Japanese) neck and scalp massage and shuttle services at your convenience.

And another unique aspect is that art is displayed throughout the salon. Mr. Wilks, who is also an artist, has shown some of his work there as well. He enjoys various forms of art including music, poetry and photography: "My artwork is about pure consciousness. This means absorbing everything around you, feeling it, to the point where you connect with it. Then it is like a reservoir."

And he encouraged other artists to contact him as they are currently organising the schedule for the coming year.

Kafu is also branching out with a sister company Aesthetic Skin Clinic, which looks to bring their philosophy to other areas of beauty care such as laser hair removal and Botox, which will be coming soon.

Today Kafu will be holding an information session on the new Microdermabrasion services, which removes dead skin by light abrasion. It is used to remove sun-damaged skin and to remove or lessen scars and dark spots on the skin. The session will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Kafu. Call 295-5238 for more information.