Italian naïve-art painter Antonio Ligabue, who painted barrel tops in bistros for his sustenance, may have inspired a unique exhibition currently on at Is-Suq tal-Belt, in Valletta. At least, that’s what George Meekers, head of sales at Delicata winery, believes may have triggered his Eureka exclamation.

Each finished piece reflects ‘the joys of wine, art and good living in Malta today and through the ages’.

This exhibition is made up of decommissioned barriques that have been turned into original works of art as part of a contest set up by the winery.

“Rather than just retiring the old barriques to a dark corner, I thought it would be much better to breathe new life into them,” Mr Meekers said.

The wine expert pointed out that the company has always had an affinity with the arts. He mentioned, for example, the fact that their most established wine brands carry a label with a drawing by the late Emvin Cremona, considered one of the best Maltese artists of the 20th century.

“So, an initiative that helps bring the work of our artists to the fore seemed a logical way of repurposing the disused barriques. It’s a modest endeavour but, like wine, art is a living thing, and what’s alive can grow and prosper in the future,” he remarked.

Wine barrels or bettija in Maltese are usually made from oak and are used to ferment or mature wine in. During these processes, desirable volatile compounds are extracted from the wood and they contribute to a wine’s overall aroma and flavour, enhancing its character and complexity. 

However, barrels have a limited pool of extractable material and it diminishes over time. As a consequence, they are typically decommissioned after five to six years or sooner if the barrel starts leaking.

There is no wine without art and, often, no art without a little wine

Delicata launched the Bettija’rt – Wine Art Living contest at the end of last year, calling for painters and other visual artists to present designs that would transform such barrels into “stunning works of art”.

Each finished piece was to reflect “the joys of wine, art and good living in Malta today and through the ages”.

Ten artists were eventually selected − Joseph Barbara, Claire Attard Vella, David Xuereb, Caroline Said Lawrence, Carmel Bonello, Francis Galea, Priscilla Gatt, Donald Camilleri, Sara Pace and Zack Ritchie − who gave their own interpretations ofthe theme.

The result is a mixture of surrealist, modern and expressionist styles in various mediums.

Mr Meekers said he never doubted the skill of the finalists taking part but the originality of each finished piece surpassed his expectations.

He added that each Bettija’rt heralds the almost symbiotic relationship between wine and art.

“There is no wine without art and, often, no art without a little wine, right?” he mused.

“In the cellar, there’s the creativity of blending from a palette of young wines to create something better than the sum of its parts; the skill to make a bottle speak of its place and yet stand out,” he continued.

“In the studio, each exhibiting and contesting artist has worked hard with a similar passion: despite the risk and fears, they have made something deeply personal and presented it to the world with an open heart in the hope people will appreciate it.”

One is invited to visit, view and vote for the works on display on the first floor of Is-Suq tal-Belt until April 24.

The recipients of the 2019 Bettija’rt grand prize and the runner-up, winning cash prizes and gifts, will be determined by a final jury panel decision. The members of the jury are Anna Grima, Kevin Casha, Mariella Pisani Bencini and Mr Meekers.

The results will be announced on April 25. For more information, visit www.delicata.com.