Religious morals and the creative process in art and discrimination within society are topics explored in an exhibition titled Painting Diaries.

This first solo exhibition by self-taught artist Matthew Cassar, opens at Palazzo Ferreria, in Valletta on Friday and will run for three weeks until May 17.

It is the culmination of a long-running project, funded by the President’s Award for Creativity 2011, that attempted to redefine what we, living on this small island, take for granted, whether consciously or unconsciously. The project, taking place mainly online, was aimed at questioning, and potentially breaking down, social limitations we find ourselves having to fight against on a daily basis.

The works to be displayed are, the promoters note, the result of a combination of readings, observations of different types of artists and the interaction through Facebook and the online blog exploringartindifferentforms.wordpress.com.

At the start of the project, Mr Cassar focused mainly on figurative paintings.

He was urged to personalise his works more and experiment with his style, incorporating more contemporary techniques in his works.

The exhibition, which will be open Monday to Friday from 9am till 6pm and between 9am and 1pm on Saturday, has been designed in a way to give visitors “a more participative role”, as the promoters put it.