The longitude and latitude lines that mark axis points of the earth are the inspiration behind artist Christina Hutchings' debut exhibition.

In 1983, she received her master's degree in architecture and her work is plain and simply drawn along those reference points not from the flora and fauna aesthetic that is often seen in Bermuda art.

Her show opens in the Rick Faries Gallery at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art on Friday evening and will remain up until September 14.

The artist, who divides her time between Bermuda and New York, will showcase her mixed media works on a larger-than-life scale. The works are thematically linked to mapping spaces using nautical signs and symbols.

Ms Hutchings entered the Charman Prize 2010 with her work entitled, 'A Bermuda Map with Signal Flag', which will be on display during this show.

And her work is also currently on view at the Bermuda National Gallery's Biennial 2010.

"This is my first solo show," she said. "The small and large pieces in the exhibition were selected because they represent two of the ways I work in the studio, one intuitive the other systematic.

"The latter process is directly related to my study of architecture.

"The small collages represent the intuitive process. The large pieces are made using a more systematic working method.

"The small collages are a way to let things happen and to see what presents itself. They are made by experimenting with automatism and the aesthetic of the found object."

She continued: "Chance plays a part in the process. The collages are made with things found around the studio that have caught my eye: string, rulers, maritime charts, linen tape, paper cups, painted paper scraps, barograph paper.

"Some of the collages are based on places I have been or things seen while riding the ferry to Hamilton lifeboats, shipping lane markers, rigging, flags. The successful pieces make themselves."

She compared the process involved in creating her larger pieces to work she did for architectural firms in New York.

"The large paintings start with an idea.

"The idea turns into sketches and diagrams. A sketch is selected, proportion, size and shape are determined, and the painting process begins.

"As in architectural design process, the intention determines the form. The ideas for the large paintings come from various sources: a note or drawing in a sketchbook, an expression overheard or something I have seen."

Her map paintings were inspired by an exhibition at The Ace Gallery called, 'Charting Bermuda, The Ace Collection of Bermuda Maps'.

"The painting in this exhibition, 'Bermuda Map with Signal Flag', is based on the 1682 map by J Van Keulen from the Ace Exhibition," she said.

"Maps can be seen in different ways perceptually and conceptually. 'Bermuda Map with Signal Flag', may seem to be an abstract work, white lines on a grey ground; or it can be seen as a representation of the 1682 map with the land mass left out.

"The land mass was left out leaving a network of longitudinal and latitudinal lines, which originate from the centre; conceptually implying Bermuda as the centre of the world, yet missing. The signal flag on the painting suggests danger."

She continued: "The colour and size of the painting are intentional. The colour can be seen in two ways. It is the colour of the rocks on the South Shore. It can also be thought of as the colour of a blackboard, suggesting lessons.

"The painting is larger than the viewer so it will engage the body and field of vision of the viewer."

Other paintings in the show show aspects of the processes described above.

"On the pole paintings, the colour is a record of the colours seen in the landscape," explained Ms Hutchings.

"In the game board paintings, chance is used as a compositional strategy."

Her aim was to show how the working methods influence each other, she said.

"When the large and small works are put together in the exhibition space, I look forward to seeing the line or lines that connect the work and suggest something new just as the fragments found around the studio suggests a new collage."

Opening reception is from 5.30 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday.