Theresa Airey Exhibition

Several years ago when reviewing a local photography show, I wrote that I had hoped for something less pretty, more gritty.

It seems that, with few exceptions, most Bermudian photographers stress exclusively, the beautiful aspects of Bermuda.

At the same time, we locals all realise that there is another, less attractive side to Bermuda that is just as real as anything else.

For the photographer, the so-called "under belly" of Bermuda, although challenging, offers opportunities for creating pictures of great strength and honesty.

Indeed, it can be said that by stressing solely the beautiful, local photographers are creating a false impression, something less than honest.

Theresa Airey, who is currently exhibiting her photographs at Windjammer II, in the Hamilton Princess, has focused her attention of more gritty considerations.

I am thinking of the old Casemates Prison, at Dockyard. As many of us realise, this building is about to be refurbished as the Bermuda National Museum, so photographing it in its present state is timely.

As it is, Casemates is in a state of considerable decay. Additionally, it has a dark history that needs to be recorded.

It should be noted, however, that despite the difficult subject matter, the peeling paint, the rust and corrosion etc., Ms. Airey has, somehow, been able to create pictures of great beauty.

In addition to the 'Casemates pictures", another side to the exhibition are 13 photographs of Florentine street art. During the summer months, street artists in Florence take chalk and pastels to produce pictures, right on the pavement.

They often recreate details from old master paintings, such as the Delphic Sibyl from Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling fresco. or a head of one of the three graces from Botticelli's Primavera.

These pictures are, however, very temporary and even before the day is over, people walk on them or if it rains, they get washed away, often leaving a "ghost" of the former work.

These Theresa Airey have pictured, but with her new technique of printing the pictures on aluminium, these are no ordinary photographs.

Because of the metallic undersurface, the colours take on a glow, that are unusual and impressive.

Even before entering the gallery, however, while still in the corridor, it is possible to see the exhibition through the windows and door, and the initial impact that I received, is that there is an over-all harmony to this exhibition, both in colour and in texture.

From a distance, before I could determine the subject matter, these qualities were the dominating factors.

Of these two qualities, colour and texture, none dominate, but appear as balanced. That an exhibition should hang together so well, is notable.

I urge anyone interested the grittier aspect of Bermuda, especially, to hurrying over to the Windjammer II Gallery, for the main show is finishing on Saturday, August 7.

Even if you can't make it by that date, however, the Casemates part of the exhibition will remain a while longer.