The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

A NEW photography exhibition by Bahamian artist and filmmaker Tyler Johnston is now filling the upstairs dining space at Van Breugel’s restaurant on Charlotte Street.

Opening last Thursday, the “Simple Moments” exhibit features over twenty photos, including portraits, landscapes, abstractions of textures and fruits.

Tyler told Tribune Arts one of his favourite pieces on display is called “Light Goddess.” It displays a photograph of a feminine entity dancing in a courtyard.

“It was taken at an abandoned hotel and a friend of mine who was modelling for me, she appears really as this apparition of phantom. It’s a very bright and beautiful photograph. I enjoy it because it has a feel when you experiment and play around with the camera; it is not just a traditional photograph; you’ve got an element of blur and motion in there to really create something unique,” said Tyler.

Comparing “Simple Moments” to his “ Beg Borrow Steal” art show held in June at the Liquid Courage Gallery, Tyler said Beg, Borrow, Steal was a conceptual, sculptural and performance show while this show more traditional.

“Photography is something that people are more familiar with, and there are so many things you have to take into account, for example your audience and your venue,” said Tyler.

Tyler said many of the objects in the “Beg, Borrow, Steal” show were considered garbage or simply in the way in his studio and home. He took it upon himself to paint them pink, reconstruct or rearrange them. He painted objects pink to drastically alter their identity, especially those objects typically considered to be masculine, such as a cutlass, saw and arrow.

“At the Liquid Courage Gallery, run by Tessa Whitehead, it’s more a modern and temporary gallery space. So that would be the place to do that kind of work. Van Breugel’s has a more classical and conservative feel so I think it is more appropriate to show photography,” said Tyler.

Shooting over a thousand photos, Tyler said it takes time to carefully choose which photos to display.

“When I go back and look through my photos to find what are the most meaningful, I find a series of work that capture very intimate, personal moments. Even if it’s a photo that doesn’t have a person in there, there is still that sense of quietness, stillness, selection and meditation when you look at the photo,” said Tyler.

Inspired by his family’s love for art, Tyler said he grew up with a camera in his hand.

“I am very familiar with photography and I am also a filmmaker so film making and photography goes hand in hand. I should mention that a portion of the proceeds for the show will go towards the Bahamas Institute For Motion Pictures. It is a non profit cultural and educational entity which I am developing in partnership with the Bahamas Film Commission. This will essentially be a small production studio for film-making and photography,” said Tyler.