Artist in search of 'my own Caravaggio'

How can one tackle Caravaggio from the perspective of a modern philosophical artist?

"The great master's ability to experience love with its sensuality, and death with its macabre qualities are reflected in his chiaro scuro," according to Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci.

Dr Schembri Bonaci is exhibiting 48 works - at St James Cavalier in Valletta - through which he is, in his own words "trying to find my Caravaggio".

"There is in Caravaggio not only spiritual but carnal love. You have joie de vivre, fruit, love, sex, death, darkness and light.

"There is also this ever present sense of escape even of the artist from the artist himself. Is it 'normal' for an artist to paint his own face in such horrifying scenes as beheadings?"

Dr Schembri Bonaci wanted to "enslave himself" within Caravaggio's works. At the same time, however, he did not want to copy the master, in order to render the new works with the current world view determined by modern art principles. Sticking perhaps to the master's religious works, Dr Schembri Bonaci invites the viewer to visit a chapel he created with seven "altar pieces".

"After you go through the stations of the cross of Caravaggio - every wall of the exhibition forms part of the stations - you are led to the altar pieces."

Some altar pieces are white on white, chiaro on chiaro and the others are projections and reflections in metal. For example, Narcissus is made of metal purposely, showing a deformed, vague image. The zinc surface represents the water Narcissus is looking at.

The Lute Player incorporates the modernist concept of objet trouvé, that is found objects that were thrown away.

Every wall of the exhibition is represented by a particular colour defining a Caravaggist theme. Every colour in turn symbolises that theme while signifying escape.

The display is curated by Keith Sciberras and forms part of the Caravaggio400 activities that runs until September 9.