The Royal Watercolour Society (RWS) exhibition of Malta paintings was officially opened by Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK Joseph Zammit Tabona at Bankside Gallery in London.

About 15 members of the RWS exhibited stunning and diverse images that celebrated Malta in its many guises.

The members painted scenes from Malta during a field trip in May 2011. The Malta High Commission supported this initiative from the start and the High Commissioner made arrangements for the group to paint on site at venues, such as Villa Francia in Lija, Girgenti and the inner courtyard of the President’s Palace in Valletta.

During his opening address, Mr Zammit Tabona said Malta had come alive through these watercolours. The works exhibited did justice to the beauty and charm that was Malta.

Jenny Wheatley, who led the group to Malta, said RWS members were delighted to work together and share painting time and camaraderie during their trip. She added that this was the members’ second painting trip and exhibition in Malta and they hoped there would be another in the future.

“We certainly feel that our work as artists is not yet finished with the diverse and plentiful subject matter available on such a small island,” Ms Wheatley said.

During summer, the Royal Watercolour Society will be exhibiting these paintings at the Auberge d’Italie in Merchants Street, Valletta, under the sponsorship of Heritage Malta.