The Charman Prize 2011

Bermuda Blue - Antoine Hunt

Janel with Cedar (Detail) - Jacqueline Alma

The fourth annual Charman Prize showcasing the talent of local artists launched on September 2 and is currently running at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art.

The Prize was established in 2008 to coincide with the opening of the new museum. Named for its sponsor and patron, John Charman, a local businessman and art collector, the aim of the competition is to encourage the production and exhibition of artwork inspired by Bermuda. Pieces are judged by a panel which this year consisted of Betty Krulik, appraiser and private dealer in 19th- and early-20th-century American art, Peter Higdon, collections curator at Royerson Gallery and Research Center, Ryerson University, Toronto, Laszlo Cser, professional conservator, PA AIC and Lucy Harwood, who recently worked in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum and organized the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts.

The Charman Prize grants awards based on an artwork’s excellence according to the competition's overall theme and four other points of judging criteria. This year's grand prize winner was Andrew Stevenson for his video documentary entitled Where the Whales Sing. My favourites are pictured above, along with Nick Minugh's Faces of Parliament which was both skilfully executed and thought-provoking.

The Charman Prize runs until December 3. More artworks are featured after the jump.