Have canvas - will paint

The latest collection of works to grace the walls of Heritage Malta's exhibition space comes by the name of Tila - a collective by six, namely Noel Petroni, Nadege Cassar, Kevin Attard, Dominic Dimech, Josephine Cachia and Astrid Zammit. These six friends decided to get together and share their works with the public - works which are as diverse as their personal names and character traits. One of the most mellow paintings displayed is Astrid Zammit's Love at First Sight, an oil on canvas that reflects a delicate use of diffused colour. This artist generally displays a sense of sentimentality throughout her works as in Breathing Life (for Mariah) - an innovative take on the mother and child theme.

Dominic Dimech boldly asserts his love of pattern through three canvases which simulate textile designs of the most vibrant. However, one of his paintings leaves the strongest impression - Triq l-Ajkla, Valletta. The oils are chosen in strident colours emblazoning sun and persjani as we have never seen them before - set against a lilac sky, with the light reflected on yellow and orange façades set against the shade in green and lime. Certainly innovative.

Noel Petroni flaunts his skill with coloured pencils. Utilising a more staid scenario for his Maltese and seaside scenic views, he manages to grab the imagination. A realistic take on the colours of boating comes through Reflections - detailed, nostalgic and true to life. Three Balconies provides an uncannily new angle to the usual balcony compote.

As feminine as they come - here are the works of Nadege Cassar - whimsical to a fault, with the painter playing about with faces and florals in The Four Seasons. Pollonylon depicts Ms Cassar's clever use of the palette and virtuous ability at detailed portraiture.

Josephine Cachia provides a mish-mash of works - from flowered panels to collages. The most evocative is what I can only call The Girl with the Upturned Nose, a pretty unnamed picture of old-country innocence. Juxtaposed against a smaller painting of what can only be a buxom female angel, Ms Cachia's works are obviously experimental and ever-changing.

Perhaps the most audacious of all are the exhibits of Kevin Attard who has taken the plunge to go completely abstract, presenting a series of cartoons and squiggles, as well as miniature sculptures, that are assertions of independence, alternativeness and tongue-in-cheek humour.

Tila is at Heritage Malta, Old University Building, Merchants Street, Valletta until August 26.