You either take to abstract art or you do not. That is the gist of it and unless you train your eye to appreciate it, there will never be anything in it for you. Viewing the works of Trevor Borg, one of Malta's upcoming young artists, who is presenting the public with his fourth solo exhibition at St James Cavalier, it is very easy to see that each and every painting provides a different sensation to each different person. But to take to these paintings, you cannot be a simple onlooker but more of an observer and while some allure you and entice you to peer closer, you will be surprised to find more than you bargained for at that fleeting first glance.
Mr Borg specifies: "The title is Open Verse and since the paintings are abstract, they are 'open' to interpretation. The 'verse' is linked to the romantic and poetical aspect of the works. This visual journey is imbued with symbolic meanings, very similar to poetry."
20070310-lifestyle--art2.jpgVarious techniques are incorporated in the fluid compositions which also include experimentation with drip painting. While some are self-proclaimed statements made by the artist himself in an unspoken lament against some of the ills of society, others are vague enough to allow for multiple understandings.
The first piece to catch my attention is composed of a palette of greens and soft browns that in its entirety, at least to my own eyes, provides the impression of a lush forest beckoning from a distance. The colour coordination is excellent and I pass on to view a similar but not identical piece which, although utilising basically the same palette, permeates the canvas with a marshy composition. Diluted acrylics blend in with texture as Borg attempts to comment on the deteriorating environment around us.
I turn to something different - a painting in blues - definitely sky in turmoil minus the dark clouds of storm. This painting provides a stark contrast with an inebriating feeling of vivid freshness and I look closer half expecting some hidden element to emerge from beneath the cumulus of cloud - the hand of a deity perhaps or the wings of angels.
Fantastic semblances of actual skies and scenarios are ably created through a mutation of paint and Mr Borg admits that some of these works, which he considers a narrative with a fantastic element, take months to complete.
One interesting canvas vaguely reminds me of Red Indian garb, where plumed vibrant colours are set against a sheer white backdrop that allows the bright hues to stand out resoundingly. And yet that is merely my own interpretation of this canvas - the stark colours may remind another observer of something totally alien in character.
Still another canvas - a semblance of colours that are reminding me of muscle and nerves, a whole composition which is both impressive in testifying the meticulous attention to detail that only a keenly focused artist can provide.
With a list of past participation in collective and solo exhibitions to his credit, namely in Malta, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Spain between 1999 and 2006, it is evident that Mr Borg is becoming highly involved in the artistic scene and with reason. The 28 pieces on show are a veritable transformation in style in many senses, as this 30-year-old painter has evidently changed tactics and brought forth another deeper aspect of his skill. It is worthwhile to remark here on the fact that Mr Borg is also a graphic artist and his visual skills are obviously well versed in the intricate ropes of communication - subtle yet powerful.
Open Verse is on at St James Cavalier's main hall until March 25.
Mr Borg specifies: "The title is Open Verse and since the paintings are abstract, they are 'open' to interpretation. The 'verse' is linked to the romantic and poetical aspect of the works. This visual journey is imbued with symbolic meanings, very similar to poetry."
20070310-lifestyle--art2.jpgVarious techniques are incorporated in the fluid compositions which also include experimentation with drip painting. While some are self-proclaimed statements made by the artist himself in an unspoken lament against some of the ills of society, others are vague enough to allow for multiple understandings.
The first piece to catch my attention is composed of a palette of greens and soft browns that in its entirety, at least to my own eyes, provides the impression of a lush forest beckoning from a distance. The colour coordination is excellent and I pass on to view a similar but not identical piece which, although utilising basically the same palette, permeates the canvas with a marshy composition. Diluted acrylics blend in with texture as Borg attempts to comment on the deteriorating environment around us.
I turn to something different - a painting in blues - definitely sky in turmoil minus the dark clouds of storm. This painting provides a stark contrast with an inebriating feeling of vivid freshness and I look closer half expecting some hidden element to emerge from beneath the cumulus of cloud - the hand of a deity perhaps or the wings of angels.
Fantastic semblances of actual skies and scenarios are ably created through a mutation of paint and Mr Borg admits that some of these works, which he considers a narrative with a fantastic element, take months to complete.
One interesting canvas vaguely reminds me of Red Indian garb, where plumed vibrant colours are set against a sheer white backdrop that allows the bright hues to stand out resoundingly. And yet that is merely my own interpretation of this canvas - the stark colours may remind another observer of something totally alien in character.
Still another canvas - a semblance of colours that are reminding me of muscle and nerves, a whole composition which is both impressive in testifying the meticulous attention to detail that only a keenly focused artist can provide.
With a list of past participation in collective and solo exhibitions to his credit, namely in Malta, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Spain between 1999 and 2006, it is evident that Mr Borg is becoming highly involved in the artistic scene and with reason. The 28 pieces on show are a veritable transformation in style in many senses, as this 30-year-old painter has evidently changed tactics and brought forth another deeper aspect of his skill. It is worthwhile to remark here on the fact that Mr Borg is also a graphic artist and his visual skills are obviously well versed in the intricate ropes of communication - subtle yet powerful.
Open Verse is on at St James Cavalier's main hall until March 25.