Desmond Fountain to open new gallery

Four years ago, Bermuda’s ­internationally renowned ­sculptor Desmond Fountain predicted a recession and closed his gallery at The ­Emporium on Front Street.

Proven correct on that ­occasion, he now predicts that business will soon be on the increase in Bermuda and he is so confident he is ­opening a new art gallery at the Elbow Beach Hotel.

The Desmond Fountain Gallery is due to host a soft opening this Friday and its grand opening is predicted for the end of February.

The gallery will house around fifty of the sculptor’s bronze ­statues, which are largely made up of figures.

Mr. Fountain will also display work from both local and ­international artists with a ­percentage of each sale going ­towards the Coalition for the ­Protection of Children’s Breakfast for Every Child programme.

Mr. Fountain said he hoped he would have work on display by ­local artists Sheilagh Head, Henry Ward, Eldon Trimmingham and William Collieson in time for the opening, not to ­mention etchings and lithographs by luminaries such as ­Salvador Dali in the near future.

Mr. Fountain said that despite gloomy business forecasts, he ­believed that the time is right for some optimism.

He told the Bermuda Sun: ­“People shouldn’t be overly ­influenced by all the negative things that are happening in the world — it is a time of opportunity. In this case, the glass is half full.

“Ever since I closed my ­previous gallery, it was always in the back of my mind to have a presence. Difficult times were coming for fine art, in particular sculpture which is maybe in the category of luxury or high end items — they are not in the realm of necessities.

“The sculptures need to be in a permanent display somewhere because to have so many pieces cast, you can’t do mini show for a week here and a week there.    

“There needs to be a collection for people to see whenever they want to. And that’s why the idea of ­having it at the hotel location with a lot of window frontage is so important.”

Mr. Fountain, who is a fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, has his work in public and private collections the world over. Some of the most high ­profile portrayals include Princess Margaret, publisher ­Felix Dennis, Mark Twain and Sir George Somers though his ­sculpture of Johnny Barnes, ­pictured with sculptor and model, is ­perhaps one of his most well known in Bermuda.

He has used a picture of his Johnny Barnes sculptor as a logo for his gallery which is printed on the side of his work van, see picture.

Some of the works that will be on display at the gallery, will ­never have been seen by the ­public before and for the official opening next year there will be several items he describes as ­“unusual” for his work.

“There are always pieces in the making. I have got something that is quite unusual for me — I have a figure skater and also — I think the expression is a bombshell, jumping into water. The figure is hitting the water – the way I deal with the water will be uniquely different.”

 Mr. Fountain is currently in the process of looking for staff for his gallery — the previous gallery had five members of staff. He believes that despite the new gallery not being located right in the heart of Hamilton as before, the new location has more ­benefits.

“Once people who live here are aware of it, it will make a far more pleasant outing than having to worry about parking and fairs. There is marvellous parking at ­Elbow Beach, it is close to town, they have really good restaurants there if anyone wants to combine seeing the gallery and having a drink or a meal — it’s an ideal ­location.”

The soft opening due to take place between 9 to 5pm. Anyone interested should call 232-3955 to check.