Kendal Hanna’s Art Inspires Workshop

By in News on November 16, 2011

Painter Toby Lunn hosted a successful workshop at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) on Saturday that brought together students, teachers and art lovers.

The hands-on abstract workshop entitled “In The Likeness” was inspired by the Bahamas’ most prolific abstract artist Kendal Hanna. Participants were exposed to the materials, techniques and process involved in some of Mr Hanna’s best work.

Ashley Knowles, NAGB curatorial assistant, told Tribune Entertainment that Mr Lunn was an appropriate choice for this particular workshop because he knows Mr Hanna personally and artistically. Mr Lunn is considered a fellow abstract expressionist. Over the years, Mr Lunn moved from a “loose realist style to the more fluid abstraction he has become known for today”.

The NAGB turned into a “busy and bustling place”, said coordinators. Mr Hanna himself visited and interacted with workshop participants.


Kendal Hanna's work at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas. Photo: NAGB


“I think the workshop was pretty successful. In the morning session we had about 12 to 16 students that participated. With this first group, we each had a canvas, and because Kendall is an abstract painter, we started from that point of abstraction,” said Mr Lunn.

Mr Hanna is known as one of the country’s earliest abstract expressionists. The D’Aguilar Art Foundation noted that Mr Hanna “always dreamed of being trained in art and left for New York City in order to study it.”

The Foundation’s website states that Mr Hanna “came back to look after his ailing mother and never returned to art school.”

A collection of Mr Hanna’s work is featured in the Foundation’s gallery.

Mr Lunn said during the afternoon part of the workshop there were about 32 art teachers. “They all were interested in new techniques to explore different creative methods,” he said.

Mr Lunn is no stranger to the NAGB. Apart from this recent workshop, he has led several other workshops at the gallery.

“The NAGB is an important institution for artists in the country. These kinds of workshops bring awareness in the schools and the local community,” he said.

By Alesha Cadet
The Tribune
Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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