Clean crisp lines, strangely delicate textures and soft mellow colours characterise some 60 paintings that belong to an artist who is certainly not new on the local art scene. Joe Pace Ross has however shied away from solo exhibitions for a long time, hiding in the midst of other artists within collectives that have yet still managed to draw attention to his skills. Now, finally, he has been convinced that it is time to go solo and Malta: Bays and Harbours came about.
The viewer can virtually float through this series of seascapes that are testimony of a great love of the sea. And Pace Ross is incredibly productive for somebody who only took up his paintbrushes after retirement. Painting on a daily basis, he was finally convinced to show his works in their entirety by his daughter who encouraged and supported him heartily.
His paintings, in keeping with their character, are all strictly water colours but they need not be clear blue sky and beaming sunshine all the way. Some artists like to emphasise the glare and the sharp light and impress viewers with the strong, bold colour that is so typical of our Mediterranean atmosphere, but not Pace Ross. His hazy skies, scudding clouds and vaguely stormy temperaments, as in Majjistral or Dghajsa Crossing add interest to a background and frame the seascape or landscape excellently.
Some are more detailed than others, one case in point being Grand Harbour Marina or St Julian’s Bay I. Both indicate a keen eye for detail and a meticulousness that verges on the fastidious. They are also intent on documenting a time, a place and a happening – the here and now. The ‘there and then’ is also documented through images of traditional Maltese sea faring vessels not merely identifiable by their coat of primary colours but also by navigational characteristics which diversify the selection available. Here we are not talking simply “dghajsa” with all the traditional lore surrounding it, but are going grander with fully rigged sailing ships sporting their best dress – sails, ropes, stern, yard, jibs and all.
Take a step back in time with Galley of the Order or Vessels of the Order leaving Grand Harbour. And closer to our times one can admire the Amerigo Vespucci in Grand Harbour. Of a totally different character there’s Warship off St Elmo. Both provide exciting maritime moments for the enthusiast keen on some sea action.
The more impressive vessels are sailing valiantly in or out of ports, smaller vessels are riding the wind with verve, and in between, the more languid boats are lying at rest, soaking up sunsets or sundowns within the protective sheath of a bay. Consider Boats in Yellow Ochre II and Luzzu I. Be sure to seek out a small bijoux – a rarity among all the larger canvases – Sails in the Sunset, as well the rather surprisingly light note put into Maltese Seafront II.
Although the exhibition is dedicated to the sea and the vessels that ride it, there does come the very, but very occasional inclusion of some landscape. It’s as if some localities are much at heart to avoid. Cittadella and Mdina do not flaunt water attractions but are sustained by another sort of sea – a sea of meadowy flowers that juxtapose their majestic character with rustic views and the rarely to be found living being.
The spread of paintings by Pace Ross is impressively rich and testifies a life spent in close proximity to the open sea, keen observational skills and a light, firm hand that tinges washes with a gentle north-westerly Maestro wind.
Malta: Bays and Harbours is at Gallery G in Lija until Saturday. Opening hours: Today and tomorrow: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.