Artistic rendition of Malta's environs

An exhibition of watercolours by Maltese artist Henry Alamango (above), themed Tribute To A Sea, will be held at the Banca Giuratale, in Victoria between Sunday and March 24.

Mr Alamango's art is inspired by deep-rooted impressions and emotions drawn from the natural and historical attributes of these islands: a hot sun, a barren landscape, but pregnant with bees and honey, wild thyme and figs, a deep blue sea, a congenial climate, an architectural heritage, a neolithic legacy, and so much more. The artist also feels that, to properly comprehend Malta and Gozo, one must understand their environs: a rich civilisation of philosophers and writers, traders and craftsmen, architects and seafarers that constitute the cradle of western civilisation.

The exhibition is sponsored by Bank of Valletta. Presenting the Bank's sponsorship, Michael Galea, head of PR, communication and corporate branding, said: "BOV has today built a reputation of being the leading patron of arts and culture in Malta. Under the arts and culture pillar of our community programme, we regularly seek to support Maltese talent and encourage artists to develop their career. Just as one cannot appreciate the physical and cultural attributes of this archipelago without appreciating its environs, similarly one cannot talk of a Maltese identity without understanding that, if there is any uniqueness, it is not in any particular genetic makeup, but rather in the very diversity that is our legacy," Mr Alamango said.

"Tribute To A Sea is a call to explore the cultures, history and trends that have shaped - and continue to shape - our identity, destiny and locus in this part of the world," he explained.