It is unusual in Bermuda to have an exhibition solely concerned with installations. It is likewise exceptional to have the same exhibition devoted to social issues, but that is exactly what Katherine Harriott's exhibition at the Bermuda Society of Arts is all about.

In this case, her concern is with issues of marriage. Some may not agree or like what is being expressed, but, to a degree, that is beside the point. At least and at last, we are confronted with issues that are of paramount importance in Bermudian society, that we tend to hide, overlook and ignore, but Ms Harriott, as head of the Women's Resource Centre has to confront these issues, probably on a daily basis.

Interestingly, Lynn Morrell, has a piece in the Charman Prize Exhibition at the Masterworks Museum that is in dialogue with Ms. Harriott's, but from a different viewpoint. This kind of artistic debate is almost unheard of in contemporary Bermudian art, but one that I encourage.

Indeed, having recently attended the annual conference of the International Association of Art Critics in Martinique, I saw similar issue oriented art from the Caribbean region and it is heartening to see something similar going on here.

Regarding Katherine Harriott's exhibition: her installations, the ones we saw in the last Bermuda National Gallery's Biennial, as well as in this current exhibition at the BSoA, are beautifully created, although somewhat sinister in scope.

In both installations, the central element of the creation is a wedding dress. In the 'Ties That Bind,' the dress is bound and tied in knots, expressing concerns of strictures imposed upon women by husbands, economics and family.

In 'Till Death Do Us Part', the wedding dress is laid out on the floor, with a white chalk line surrounding it, as if the scene of a crime. An additional element is scattered red rose petals.

In this context, however, the redness, seems to suggest blood. More often, then is ever publicised, marriages are dangerous to women, especially those in abusive situations, where, at times, the marriage does end in violent death of the woman. More often these kind of marriage becomes a deadly situation that is loveless and enslaving.

This is an exhibition that needs to be seen. The exhibition ends on April 1.