On Thursday, 10 May, Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta hosted the opening of a new collection of 23 oil paintings by Maltese artist Karen Caruana, under the curatorship of Sabrina Calleja Jackson, with the title Vernacular.

Caruana describes her process as a sort of ritual that she uses to understand the behaviour of people around her, but also her own. For Vernacular specifically, she also addresses reactions to change and loss of surroundings we are attached to. "The process of painting is almost a therapy that makes me express sentiments that wouldn't otherwise come out. When people tell me how my work affects them, I realise that they often articulate what I had been trying to communicate through the images, but through their own lens."

Reacting to the high turnout at the opening, Caruana commented that she was "overwhelmed by the amount of people who attended, but mostly by the incredible feedback I got". A number of paintings were sold on the spot. She added: "I have been working as a full-time artist for many years now and even though it wasn't easy to finally take the plunge and share my work with the public, it was a necessary step. The work needs to take its time, however, I do hope that the next exhibition won't take as long as this one."

Vernacular curator Sabrina Calleja Jackson, also an artist in her own right, and Caruana share a similar artist background, and on one of their first long conversations at another exhibition, they realised they were on the same wavelength, especially in the way Calleja Jackson read Caruana's paintings: certain poses, facial expressions and compositions.

Referring to the concept behind the exhibition, Calleja Jackson explained that: "Karen's journey in this exhibition narrates the ethics projected onto sentimental spaces and memories based on values and meanings which affect the spatial practices and perceptions of a particular society."

Vernacular will be showing at Palazzo de La Salle, 219 Republic Street, Valletta until 27 May. Opening between Monday and Friday from 8.30am to 7pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. Entrance is free.

For more information visit: www.karencaruana.com