Book of the month - Shadow cabinets

Here in Malta we are particularly blessed, in that we currently have a large community of extremely talented visual artists. And right up there among the top echelons is young artist Raphael Vella. His current showing at the St James Centre for Creativity is, in turn, hugely stimulating and at times quite shocking. His use of religious symbolism and the way in which his current work is influenced by Islamic fundamentalism and the terrible events of, what the Americans like to call, 9/11.

Mr Vella's decision to bring out this book Reading Cabinets is particularly apposite, since it coincides with the exhibition of the same name at St James. It is certainly advisable, but not essential, to first visit the exhibition - it runs until next Tuesday - before reading the book.

There is much to ponder upon within its pages, including an interview with the artist that goes some way to explaining his raison d'être.

It would be presumptuous to single out any particular cabinet or individual work, but two images in particular burn themselves into the mind. These are the image of the young boy "suicide bomber" with books (possibly the Koran) strapped to his body rather than packs of explosives. This image is followed by a graphic image of an explosion with one of those books remaining intact in the lower right hand corner of the picture. Stunning stuff! Reading Cabinets is available from Allied Retail and Commercial Ltd at €17.