Three Fossils C, 1983, mixed media

A selection of paintings by Chevalier Maestro Pawlu Grech will be exhibited at Casa Antonia Nursing and Residential Home in Balzan.

The exhibition, entitled Rest-Rospection, is curated by Amanda Tabone and will be officially opened on Thursday at 10.30am, during the home’s open day, held to mark its 15-year anniversary.

Throughout his extensive artistic career, Chev. Grech has achieved recognition as a musician, composer and visual artist. Born in Valletta in 1938, Chev. Grech was awarded a scholarship at the age of 16 to study at the prestigious Conservatorio Santa Cecilia.

There, he spent 10 years winning acclaim for his remarkable talent, manifested in the originality of his early compositions.

In Rome, he furthered his studies in painting at the former Scuola Galli. In 1964, after having obtained his piano diploma two years earlier, he was awarded a scholarship to further his training in orchestral conducting and composition in London, which a year later earned him the Ricordi prize for conducting in 1965 and an invitation by London BBC Radio 3 to conduct the English Chamber Orchestra in 1968.

Composition 89, 1966, Gouache

He also pursued his musical interest in composition under the tutorship of Austrian musicologist Hans Keller.

Many of his compositions were broadcast in London, Italy and Germany.

His career in painting also flourished during his stay in the UK. His works were exhibited in the halls of the Yehudi Menuhin School at Cobham in Surrey as well as at the Espace Christiane Peugeot in Paris.

Sea, Rock and Sky, 1998, mixed media

After a long absence of nearly 32 years, Chev. Grech returned to Malta in 1986, where he continued to play an active role in both music and painting. In 2000, his long and successful artistic career was crowned with the title Chevalier Académique by the directors of the Accademia Internazionale Greci-Marino Accademia del Verbano di lettere, arti, scienze of Vinzaglio in Italy.

In his paintings, Chev. Grech has managed to weave music into abstract art.

His works include mixed media, gouache, pencil drawings, oil pastels and watercolours. Several of his works are today in private collections both in Malta and abroad.

Apart from Chev. Grech’s exhibition, which will run until July 7, the Casa Antonia open day will also feature activities ranging from music and art to artisan stands and food stalls.

Genesis VI, 1970, mixed media

Refreshments will be offered and free parking will be available at the Primary School of St Aloysius College (former Stella Maris School), with a free shuttle service.

“Holding an exhibition of one of our residents’ work is an example of how we encourage active ageing and encourage our residents to remain a resource to society and to life within the home while they are living here,” said Sarah Cassar­­­­­, Casa Antonia general manager.

“We hope this exhibition by Chev. Grech will be an enriching experience for our visitors,” Dr Cassar added.  

Pawlu Grech’s works include mixed media, gouache, pencil drawings, oil pastels and watercolours.