Artist in full sail

Shortly before the first returning boat entered Marsamxett Harbour yesterday, artist Caroline Navarro was busy polishing her latest works - 30 trophies for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. She has again been commissioned to create them for presentation to the winners of the prestigious regatta on Saturday.

"That's life for you - everything comes together at the same time," she says without a hint of regret about the fact that she is also simultaneously preparing for an important exhibition in London in December.

"I love it when it's full steam ahead and there's loads to do," admits the artist as she continues to frantically rub the Perspex sails of a trophy.

From December 1, she has a solo exhibition of around 20 paintings at the Royal Commonwealth Society in Trafalgar Square, organised by Malta House.

Her works are aimed at promoting Malta and Australia, both Commonwealth countries she has resided in, depicting her personal interpretation of the former "as a ball of vibrant colour" and the latter's expanse.

A month later, they are being exhibited in a London-based German bank, which has chosen her work to be auctioned at a charity event.

As regards the trophies, an important commission, Caroline has further developed on last year's, adding a box in which they can be transported by the victorious yachtsmen without risking damage. But this is no ordinary container - it has the shapes of Malta and Sicily cut into it and the RMSR course engraved.

Through the two islands, you get a peek at the three sails, fashioned in such a way as to evoke the feeling of wind blowing through them. Across the main sail and the genoa is a subtle painting of what the sailors see at the spectacular start of the regatta - the Valletta skyline.

"I wanted to capture the sight at the start; that moment of excitement when the challenge is about to begin."

Much thought has gone into the creation of the trophies, and if you look closely, the teak hull is actually two, which are overlapping, giving the idea of a race, while the plinth has a suggestion of a wave, with the Rolex logo and details of the winning boat.

Even though Caroline had studied sculpture, she learnt that mixing media was quite a challenge. The end result is a combination of the old yachting feel, in the form of the wood, and the modern effect of the Perspex, an interesting material to work with, and which Caroline has also learnt a lot about in the process.

"It seems to have a memory, so when you bend it, depending on how long you do, interesting movements are created. Each piece is different and has a life of its own."

The prestigious commission was right up Caroline's street also because she has a penchant for the sport and the entire yachting world. "The RMSR is such a highlight, it's great to be involved!"

But it has also offered her the opportunity to move out of her sphere - from two-D flat canvases to three-D work to develop her sculpture techniques.

"I never realised how much work and critical coordination it would entail... And the commission is for Rolex, so you can imagine the high level of workmanship and standards expected. The quantity is also massive," she points out. "It's almost a production line!"

Caroline had come up with the original idea and design, and then commissioned the creation of parts of it, although she has taken a hands-on approach at every stage, including varnishing and whatever it took.

"People say there is nothing you can do with art, but there is... if you get out and push the boundaries...

"An artist can move out of her own space; her own island; and head for broader horizons."