It is a pleasure to write about Debbie Caruana Dingli’s work once again. It is an even greater pleasure to acknowledge that she has been selected as the first female artist to have a Bank of Valletta retrospective exhibition dedicated to her artistic career.

This is, in fact, the 23rd retrospective exhibition held by BOV, each of which previously showcased the work of male artists.

Although the 37 works have been presented thematically and not chronologically, by walking through this exhibition the viewer is still able to appreciate Caruana Dingli’s artistic evolution.

Curator Francesca Balzan has made sure that the most eloquent works were selected in order for this to be successful, together with several drawings printed on two glass panes.

The exhibition is accompanied by a handsome book that contains a full catalogue of the works and an essay that allows some great insights into the artist’s life and work.

One of the very first elements that is explored in the essay, is the artistic legacy Caruana Dingli was born into: Robert Caruana Dingli was her grandfather. Robert and his brother Edward were major protagonists for art in Malta in the early 20th century.

Despite this, Caruana Dingli has successfully found her own personal and unique expression and became an independent artist.

Throughout her 30-year-long career, she has amply manifested her ability in using different media and techniques and exploring different genres and themes, from portraits of people and animals to cartoons and illustrations.

Boy and Cat.

Animals, the sea and the countryside are very much an integral part of Caruana Dingli’s repertoire. She enjoys long walks, but she is also an avid swimmer and triathlon athlete.

These hobbies allow for her works to capture a different spirit of island life. As one discovers on reading the exhibition catalogue essay by Balzan, Caruana Dingli swam across the channel from Malta to Gozo 13 times.

Taught by Margaret Chircop at Sacred Heart and Harry Alden at the Government School of Art, after already being immersed in art through her family’s talented artists and art collections, Caruana Dingli took up watercolours after she left the art school.

Caruana Dingli is very capable at people-watching

The first exhibits are indeed all executed in watercolour. Caruana Dingli’s impeccable technique can be admired in the watercolour exhibits, with washes and detailed passages conveying the spirit of the person or scene she has chosen to portray. What is clear in these works is that the artist had early on achieved an intimacy with the medium, and an admirable facility in its use.

As is revealed by this collection of paintings, Caruana Dingli is also very capable at people-watching and she has captured several peopled scenes such as Tourists at Wied iż-Żurrieq, and other aspects of quaint village life.

Two paintings from Caruana Dingli’s 2008 series of paintings identifying with the migrant situation that Malta is facing have also been included.

These works really allow viewers to see how sensitive the artist is towards humanity and how she dealt with a sensitive issue.

The way in which Caruana Dingli has pictured and identified with the desperation of these human beings is poignant and serves as a commentary on the harsh reality that most of us are completely oblivious to.

Biker. Right: And Babies Were Snatched From their Mothers (detail).

But then, very close by, are works that display Caruana Dingli’s humorous side, as well as others that are satirical and are often commentaries on Maltese politics and way of life.

Although sweet-natured and very much likeable, Caruana Dingli is not one to shy away from expressing her opinions. Dying to Meet you, Minister is one apt example.

Under the Carpet and Depression provide accounts of some other very real and personal situations and strong emotions, as does Fear.

Caruana Dingli has also found her feet in portrait painting with bold brushstrokes mapping out faces and characters, works which were each produced in one session.

Caruana Dingli is definitely one of our finest artists, for whom painting has been a full-time job for decades and who also happens to be extremely witty and exceptionally good at what she does. It is, therefore, very fitting that BOV has given her work the opportunity to shine. There will surely be much more to follow.

Caruana Dingli’s retrospective exhibition is open until July 31 at the BOV Centre, Santa Venera.