St James Cavalier, in Valletta, has been injected with the vibrant colours of Gozitan artist Christopher Saliba, who is exhibiting a collection of abstract paintings at the main hall.

The paintings, titled Of Time And Timelessness, are a personal interpretation of the way memories and emotions are evoked by light, space, texture and colour.

Recreating the passage of time, Mr Saliba lays down layers on his canvasses for the viewer to discover.

He said: "I paint energy and essence and my work is about time. I interpret memory by fragmenting my canvas into geometrical shapes, each of which is treated as an individual experience or memory in time.

When physically in the process of work, I rub, scrape, etch and razor the painted surface to expose layers. In doing so, the actual record of the painting is revealed".

"I am visually inspired by time-worn surfaces that recount our history and my individual story."

Colour and texture are the central force of the artist's creative process, charging his work with a physical presence that closes the distance between mind and matter, eye and spirit. From a distance, broad bands of colour, often reds and yellows and other earth tones, make a strong statement. Close up, the viewer finds textures and markings that continue to engage the eye.

The exhibition will be open till December 3.

For further information about the artist and a chronology of his works, go to www.gozo-art.com.