A longing for home has inspired Anna Galea to create a collection of still life works that not only remind her of Malta but also stimulate the taste buds.
“These paintings portray subjects that mean home to me and that give me a sense of belonging. For the past few years I’ve been based mostly in Dubai and I miss the pastizzi, ħobż biż-żejt and the ripe Maltese tomatoes which are so full of flavour,” the artist said.
These subjects form part of an exhibition of oil paintings currently on display at Opus64 Galerie in Sliema, a gallery which Ms Galea describes as “a lovely intimate space with excellent lighting that allows visitors to focus on the artworks with minimum distractions”.
Part of the exhibition features large floral paintings, including one of a sunflower, which is synonymous with the Hospice movement.
Proceeds will, in fact, go towards the NGO which provides free palliative care for patients.
Ms Galea, who is to date mostly known for her large watercolours, has won various awards during her 30-year artistic career and has exhibited across European cities, in the United Arab Emirates and, more recently, in the US. Her works have also been published in two International Artist books, as well as other publications.
Agora Gallery of New York, which hosted her exhibition Enigmatic Visions last year, described her works in the following way: “Often shown with dramatic lighting that allows the artist to make the most of the semi-transparent plant structures, Galea’s subjects pulse with life, celebrating the harmony of light and colour”.
Ms Galea is indeed fascinated with light and shadow and usually makes use of flowers and other forms of still life to express this aspect in her paintings. But she does not want to restrict herself to a particular medium or style.
“That would be boring,” she noted. “My art keeps evolving and I find that the more I paint, the more I want to discover and investigate.”
She is now venturing into watercolour abstracts, which she said will probably be the theme of her next solo exhibition.
Stills, curated by Charlene Vella, runs until January 18 at Opus 64 Galerie in Tigné Street, Sliema.
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 6pm. For more information about the artist, visit www.annagalea.com.
