a year ago might have a feeling of deja vu looking in on this show.

Now, as was the case in January of last year, one is presented with a wonderful sense of calm when one enters the gallery.

And again the reason for this, primarily, is Dempster's work. The one disadvantage here is that, while a year ago Dempster's drawings appeared fresh and unusual, second time around they seem a bit stale.

The problem is that it's very difficult to distinguish the coloured pencil sketches of coastal scenes in this show to the coloured pencil sketches of coastal scenes of a year ago.

Certainly, Dempster is an accomplished technician who has a talent for rendering the delicate subtleties of shimmering light reflecting off the rippled surface of a rock pool, of floating debris casting ghostly shadows on the sand, contrasting with the neighbouring craggy, jagged rocks.

All these are portrayed convincingly and the dozen or so small sketches here are ample testimony to his draughtsmanship and wonderful eye for detail.

But this show is less ambitious than the last and certainly not as dazzling, which isn't helped by the impression that what's being served up is a re-heated meal that's past its sell-by-date.

For one all the studies are far smaller than in Dempster's last show and a little less finished (the fact that Dan completed them all earlier this year suggests that he must have been churning them out at a fair rate of knots in order to get this exhibition ready on time).

There is also a sameness to the pieces, with Dempster concentrating on Grape Bay's rock pools. His last show, although remaining focused on coastal scenes, took in a much broader range of imagery, with some of the work taking on the quality of an alien landscape.

The framing of each piece is a lot more base than the luxurious, refined bronze surrounds that were used to compliment the earlier works in his first show.

I might as well take this opportunity to mention a gripe about the way things are hung at Masterworks -- and it's not restricted to this show but happens all the time. Organisers always seem to insist on using the fourth wall behind the receptionist's desk as exhibition space which can make for awkward viewing. I know space must be at a premium but it does distract from one's enjoyment.

Nevertheless this show contains plenty to admire and enjoy. Dempster's scientific training enables him to produce art that is precise, subtle and always elegant.

Perhaps it's unfair to make comparisons, but it's obvious this year's show is put in the shade by the Dempster of a year ago.

Dan will be holding another one-man show at the Bermuda Society of Arts later this month.

It will be interesting to see if the new venue inspires him to come up with anything different.

ARTIST ART REVIEW REV `Grape Bay' New Drawings by Dan Dempster Masterworks Foundation Gallery Front Street Hamilton