The Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce has stepped up its programme of cultural events by adding a themed art exhibition for its members entitled ‘Eros and Kenosis – Pleasure and Pain’.
Fifty-seven artists are taking part, each represented by a painting, sculpture or ceramic. A handsome 50-page catalogue documents the event and serves as a dictionary-cum-directory of the participants, who include established and young artists and art students.
The pleasing setting helps the visitor reflect and evaluate the works. The exhibition enables amateur artists and those who enjoy art as therapy to become professional with further effort and studies. The art classes run by the society benefit students of all ages.
Doranne Alden, Martin Formosa, Joseph Casapinta, C.S. Lawrence, Catrine Louise Attard and Barbara Butzke present some of the choice works on show, though not necessarily all directly related to the theme.
The backbone of the exhibition is formed by no-nonsense works, serious in approach, backed by excellent technique that gives the collective exhibition a relatively high artistic level.
These include artists like Jane Micallef, Julia Curmi Cassar, Grace Cassar, Jesmond Dalmas, Kevin Sciberras, Winnie Calleja, Margaret Farrugia, Jude Zammit, Joseph G. Borg, Deborah Cachia, John Caruana, Pamela Nichols Calleja and Annmarie Hoogvliet Weijers.
There are a number of abstract works worth evaluating. The one by David Camilleri Kleine is impressive, while worth mentioning are those by Lino Magro, Tessie Borg and Antoine Xuereb.
The ceramic section is represented by, among others, Dolores Lungaro Mifsud, Godfrey Xuereb, Zell Osborne, Barbara Attard Pettett and Alfred Aquilina. The work by Lungaro Mifsud is at once delicate, elegant and deeply felt.
The sculpture section contains works in a variety of media: Mario Agius and Egeo Baldacchino are represented by works in wood, Antoine Paul Camilleri with a work in bronze, Charles Bonnici in stone, Anthony Lucian Cauchi in terracotta and Martin Bezzina Wettinger by a low relief in lime wood.
Mary Portelli and Elizabeth Borg are represented by pieces in mixed media: vitrified surfaces, perspex, mosaics, beads, ceramic granules and glass. Jackie Micallef presents a rich, sophisticated piece in acrylics and ceramics.
Enigma by Cassar impresses the viewer with its economy of means, expressiveness and transparency. Festa by Galea expresses a moment of social unity in celebrating a religious feast. The scene is warm, natural and multi-coloured.
Its folkloristic vein gives the scene and atmosphere the sense of looking through a window into the past – a kind of time tunnel. It is quaint but realistic. The sense of a crowded space, the balance of space and form and the explicit sense of celebration all add up to a good work.
Sospiro by Dalmas is an expressionist work of great vigour depicting the contorted body of a woman in pain or in agony, both physical and mental.
Agius’ Lilly il-Pleasure Machine, Grillo’s Farewell, Engerer’s Lament and Sacco’s Remains are expressionist works in a burst of chromatic colours and vigorous emotion and feeling.
A sculpture worth acquiring is The Pain and Pleasure of a Glass Blower by Amelia Saint George, a bold and successful work. Perhaps the most passionate, vibrant and fantastic is Turmoil by Micallef, a surreal work with a luscious big red rose and truncated columns.
The exhibition is on at the Cavalieri Hotel, St Julian’s, till August 10.