A view of Malta

The Malta View is an exhibition of paintings by Lionel and Narinder Coates, a British couple who has always exhibited together since they were married. The exhibition, inaugurated by Daniel Micallef, runs at Razzett Markiz Mallia Tabone in Mosta until January 26.

Mr and Mrs Coates say they moved to Malta for many reasons and not just the art scene. The couple agrees Malta is full of scenery and this is evident from their work. They also assert that there are a good number of talented artists here and many "splendid exhibitions" happening locally.

Mr Coates is a self-taught artist who has been painting for as long as he can remember. He has an infinite urge to reproduce what he sees around him. His style is very fresh and he usually sticks to transparent watercolour although he is "happy using acrylics" too. His watercolours have evolved from seascapes and boats to architectural themes. The Malta View encompassed a lot of balconies and doors; scenes which are typically Maltese but the architecture is rendered fresh and illuminating. An example would be the painting of the Inquisitor's Palace and the one entitled Girls On A Wall, Valletta. The aspect of the Maltese environment is a positive one which depicts the beauty of our surroundings.

Mr Coates says he likes to be professional in his painting. He likes to plan a work of art so that it will be a job well done: "I approach every painting professionally. As a scientist by inclination and training I like to control every stage of the 'experiment'.". He doesn't believe that mood should affect art just as it shouldn't affect work.

Mrs Coates feels the same about the subject: "As a human being one is affected but as an artist I hope my work shows an objective outcome. There is a lot of soul searching before the final rendering of the subject". Mrs Coates paints mostly with oils and gauche. As a child, throughout her school years she studied art and subsequently chose art as a main subject at college. She achieved a distinction from the Cambridge Institute.

Her style is very bright and pleasant too. The bold colours used can literally brighten up a room. The views are rendered orderly and precise. The artist tends to vary in subject but this exhibition dealt with landscapes and seascapes and also some typical Maltese scenes such as that of the karozzin or horse-driven carriage. There was also a painting of two elephants, a woman in a Maltese ghonella and a few paintings on nature with butterflies as the main subject.

The exhibition is open for public viewing from 5.30 to 8.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Part of the proceeds from the exhibition will be going towards the work of the Ghaqda Filantropika Talent Mosti and part to the charity fund of the Commandery of the Castello of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem.