"Art arises when the secret vision of the artist and the manifestation of nature agree to find new shapes."

So wrote Kahlil Gibran, the late poet whose works were the inspiration for an exhibition of work by Sharon Wilson and her students opening at the Bermuda Society of Arts tomorrow night.

As part of the Sharon Wilson School of Art Invitational, Ms Wilson and her students created works based on their interpretation of 'The Prophet', a bestselling book of poetic essays series of poems by the Lebanese/American artist.

According to Ms Wilson, 'The Prophet' has been a guiding force in her life for many years.

"I have been wanting to move more firmly into the role of social commentator, so selecting certain texts from Gibran's wisdom seemed a natural choice," she said.

So, does this mean that the artwork that will be exhibited has the theme of prophecy?

Ms Wilson's response was simple: "No."

Instead, she explained: "The exhibition will look at nine categories from 'The Prophet'. This exhibition asks the artists to view what Gibran said in 1923 in the context of today's world and to determine what its relevance is to them personally and to our community.

"The subjects that they will interpret are: marriage, children, giving, friendship, work, houses, self-knowledge, crime and punishment and death. As a social commentator I decided that 'The Prophet' would give us all the framework. It was the vehicle for our focus.

"Through it we examined, questioned and sometimes revised long-held beliefs, which is one of the responsibilities of an artist. What the viewer will see is the end result of those struggles and internal debates.

"We are thinking differently now about our role as artists."

On a personal note she added: "For me, shifting the way I think about art, deciding what issues are worth addressing, finding the courage to dig deep and give an artistic voice to personal experiences is hugely life-altering and liberating.

"Now that the work is done, I'm feeling that so many of the ideas could have been expressed better. I wish I were just beginning. I could work with this text for the rest of my life."

Several of her students have participated in the exhibit.

They also spoke with The Royal Gazette about the show.

Said Andrea Peets: "When Sharon first started to talk about having a show and inviting her students to join her, I said to myself, 'I wonder if I would be able to do that'?"

Another student, Clare Wood, added: "Initially I was thrilled, but as soon as it came time to discuss what to actually paint, I found myself in a mess.

"Because I loved Gibran so much, considered him such a great spiritual writer, I was distinctly uncomfortable with the idea of interpreting a talent so far above my own.

"I came close to the point of suggesting to Sharon that I should sit this one out."

Japanese student Chikako Hoshina added that she found it difficult to understand what 'The Prophet' really meant.

"I had to dig down and digest the meaning of this poet and create the image of what I wanted to paint through Buddha," said Ms Hoshina.

"Although I am not Buddhist, as Japanese, I am from where Buddhism is a major religion and wanted to study the philosophy. Often I got stuck."

One student, Michele MacKenzie, explained that children were featured in the majority of her past works.

"So I might ask myself, have I primarily stayed with (that subject because it's) within my comfort zone? I can't say for sure, but it's the passage that resonated with me the most. At present the most prominent thing in my life is raising my young family – to guide, teach and nurture them and be open to everything they teach me.

"As my consciousness has been awakened through this process I have realised how much my children mirror my behaviour. When I don't like their behaviour I look at where they might have picked it up and realise more often than not it is from me.

"What an opportunity to accept them and myself and work on changing something that isn't working in our favour."

Ms Wilson added that many artists find answers in painful places.

Pauline Monteith agreed: "Another example of where I found Gibran's text relevant is when my adoration for my late mother was unconsciously depicted in the image I chose to paint.

"Although I was the model in the photo shoot, I unconsciously painted my mother. I remember her going through the paces of hard work in spite of her illness, putting meaning to Gibran's words, 'For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's procession...'

"At times my brother and I helped at work to make her journey lighter. This life experience is printed indelibly in my memories of my beloved mother.

"It was not until I had almost completed the piece that I realised that I am now the age my mother was when her journey came to an end."

Other artists' inspiration came from Bermuda's historical past.

Explained student Meredith Smith: "When I first saw my photograph of the Labour Day marchers, which prompted (the word) 'Solidarity', I was excited.

"I liked the mix of people from all walks of life marching together with the sunlight pushing them forward."

Artist April Branco found the experience life changing.

"People speak often of life-altering experiences," she said.

"They talk of how one action or event changed the course of their life, but what about an altered view of life? Which would you say is more meaningful? More powerful?

"A single experience that shifted everything, or a complete shift in your thinking on everything? Perhaps it's a combination of both.

"I felt the rumblings of this shift when I commenced classes with Sharon last October. However, the earth didn't begin to shake until I began my personal journey down the road of 'The Prophet'."

In the same vein, Helen Orchard added: "I taped the sentiments to my easel. Each day as I approached the paper with my charcoal and saw the quotes, a strong, inner feeling spread throughout my being. I knew my life was changing."

Sharon Wilson hopes that everyone will find the show interesting and that many who have never visited an art gallery before, will be so curious that they come and take a look.

"The artists are ordinary people and I would love to receive feedback from any and everyone who can find a few minutes to visit.

"I hope they will be moved by the art. It is about us – Bermudians and the Bermudian way of life, packaged in art and no one can tell our story like we can.

"Some of the paintings are humorous, some are disturbing and some are not. You will not see an idealised view of Bermuda. You will see us as the artists see us – dare I say it, the way we really are.

"To all of those who have never set foot in a gallery, who find it intimidating to walk into a gallery, we urge you to come to 'The Prophet'. Bring your mama – and your cheque book!"

n The exhibit opens today at 5.30 p.m. and continues until November 5. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The gallery is located on the second floor of City Hall. Admission is free.