This is the first episode in a series of exhibitions held at Masterworks under the title Artists Up Front Street. Over the next five months 11 artists will be holding one man shows at the gallery for two weeks at a time.

Betsey Mulderig has certainly got the event off to an interesting and original start. Her 13 canvasses each depict a historical character, event or piece of Bermudian folklore in the guise of an onion.

Now I have to admit that my knowledge of this Island's history was pretty blank -- a quick speed read through a couple of books on the flight over here and that was about it.

The great thing about this show is that it really is educational. From an artistic point of view the paintings are not what I would describe as in any way beautiful, although they are beautifully done.

But accompanying each of the 13 pieces is a quick biography of the sitter and an explanation of how they achieved immortality through art.

But instead of portraying figures as flesh, Ms Mulderig has given them onion heads and skin.

The result is a bit unnerving and not particularly complimentary -- I don't think former Miss World Gina Swanson will be hammering down the gallery door, purse in hand, trying to snap up her portrait -- but it is nevertheless good fun and entertaining.

There are pictures of Tom Butterfield completing a charity walk, Mamma Marme (the first woman to set up a lunch wagon at the turn of the century in case you didn't know), Sally Bassett (burnt at the stake in 1730) and the Irish poet Thomas Moore, as well as scenes showing the discovery of the Crystal Caves, a Cup Match and the Ducking Stool.

And I'm glad to see that current day legend Johnnie Barnes has not been left out.

Ms Mulderig has kindly donated the whole show to Masterworks on the condition that it is never split up. (Although, as one crusty old cynic pointed out to me, it's hard to believe that anybody would actually want to have one of these paintings on their wall). The gallery has agreed to repeat the show intermittently to allow school parties to come along and learn a bit not only about art but also about their heritage -- which is a good thing.

The paintings themselves are the sort of thing that I'm sure kids will love, although some might find them a bit nightmarish. Nevertheless they are well thought out and beautifully finished.

I haven't seen any of Ms Mulderig's other works but I'm not surprised to learn that she's a successful book illustrator.

If you have a chance to catch this show, which unfortunately only runs until next Thursday, April 2, do go along -- I promise you'll enjoy it and you might just learn something.

-- Gareth Finighan BETSEY MULDERIG ART REVIEW ARTIST REV