Martin Orrock

MA. Dip Ed (Sydney)

Zepp Cassar’s childhood memories of the little fishing village at Marsaxlokk have fueled ideas for his exhibition of paintings, which is currently being held at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity.

The exhibition entitled Marinara also shows continuing concern about the environment, and in this case overfishing and pollution. The concern is that the abundance and variety of so many types of colourful fish may not be there in the future to create the sensual memories for other generations.

Now as a Maltese-Australian artist, Zepp has crowded memories of institutional life in a Maltese orphanage surrounded by sacred relics and institutional rules. His happiest times were during Sunday hikes from Zejtun and annual holidays to the seafront at Marsaxlokk. After having lived in Australia for over 20 years, he paints instinctively in the Outsider style of these exciting visions still locked into his head and heart. Outsiders paint impulsively to release inner feelings and memories almost as a form of therapy. There is a new worldwide interest in this form of art.

Marinara is full of vibrant colour and complex patterns celebrating the rich life in the seas surrounding Malta’s coast. The exhibition was opened by Her Excellency Ms Anne Quinane, High Commissioner for Australia with an introduction by Art historian and critic Dr Louis Lagana, University of Malta. Dr Lagana’s interests include Outsider Art.

This is Zepp’s first major exhibition in Malta. His most recent exhibitions were in Paris and Bordeaux last October and this show will be followed by a group show opening in Paris on 20 May, then Amsterdam and St Petersburg later in the year.

Marinara will run until 12 June.

For more information go to http://home.exetel.com.au/zeppart