This year the Malta Community Chest Fund's annual Fine Arts Fundraising Auction has changed tack. Following the Covid-induced online auction which replaced the live fundraiser during 2021, the event has this year morphed into a fully curated art exhibition. And it is open to the public from this very weekend.
'But I See Beauty' has come about thanks to the sterling work of the MCCF's Fine Arts Committee. Mr Lawrence Pavia, who has been chairing the Committee for the past three years, explains, "I embarked on this experience during the time of Covid restrictions which made our life most challenging. Before that, I was involved in the Selection Committee and have therefore, for a number of years been active within this circle. I accepted this role because I love art and because the funds which are being raised are so much needed. This year's event is a complete departure from the annual auctions that MCCF had been holding in previous years. We felt that exhibiting the works and allowing the general public to view and possibly buy at market prices, which prices have incidentally been set by the artists themselves, would prove successful. Being a completely different concept, we had to plan this exhibition months in advance. The concept which led to the theme chosen by the curator Melanie Erixon, the preparation of the venue, the preparation of the catalogue by the PR team, and the selection of the works and finally setting them up at San Anton Palace's Antoine de Paule Hall. It has been a long and challenging journey. Hopefully, the works of art will be appreciated and will find a new home too."
Curator Melanie Erixon who is also a member of the MCCF's Fine Arts Committee, shouldered the shift from auction to live show. "The biggest challenge was identifying an interesting theme which could give the artists a challenge, whilst allowing them the freedom to express themselves at the same time. This year we have a healthy display of works from 35 artists."
A selection of artists was invited to participate, contrary to previous years when participation was through an open call. The artists on board include Mario Abela, Joseph Agius,Victor Agius, Kamy Aquilina, Alex Attard, Marisa Attard, Francesca Balzan, Aaron Bezzina, Fabio Borg, John Martin Borg, Celia Borg Cardona,Vince Briffa, Kane Cali, Sarah Calleja, Antoine Paul Camilleri, Joyce Camilleri, Roderick Camilleri, Catherine Cavallo, Rupert Cefai, Anabel Cordina, Katel Delia, Joanna Dounis, Antoine Farrugia, Anna Galea, Madeleine Gera, George Muscat, Lawrence Pavia, Ethelbert Perini, Richard Saliba, Stephen Saliba, Adrian Scicluna, Joseph P. Smith, Darren Tanti, Isaac Warrington and Kenneth Zammit Tabona.
This cross-section of contemporary Maltese artists has managed to bring together artworks produced with diverse mediums and emanating from just as diverse genres. Paintings, sculptures and mixed media artefacts sit in the same space, each striving to interpret the exhibition title in as unique a way as possible. And uniqueness is indeed the order of the day.
The term 'beauty' has always been a very subjective one. Following the past years' difficulties and upheavels worldwide, a great many people and in this case artists, have found themselves struggling to find new inspiration, especially in the darkest of moments. And it is in times of introspection that observation becomes that much clearer, sharper, even ruthless.
In its entirety the show translates into a story of our times, here on this most miniscule of islands settled against a cacophony of world news, a story which is there to be read between the lines. Familiarity can breed contempt, and indeed, many of these artists have attempted to render immortal that which jarrs, rather than that which beautifies.
Some artists have managed to shed a positive note and some lightheartedness at the end of the equation, providing the viewer with a fleeting glimpse of the beauty of a fading landscape, fine chinoiserie, a team of yellow-clad workmen. On the other side of the same coin, other artists have extrapolated frustration, mundanity, disillusion.... even with a work that is beautiful in itself. Some of the philosophical innuendos are often exceptionally refined....the glittering dagger which only serves to puncture the very hand that holds it...a life-worn face trying to view the world from behind green tinted spectacles ...... whitewashed prickly pears.....
'But I See Beauty' is certainly a challenging exhibition, whichever way one looks at it. It provides thought-provoking art that is not always sitting pretty.
'But I See Beauty' - a fine art collective exhibition in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund - Antoine de Paule Hall, San Anton Palace - Saturday 8 & Sunday 9; Saturday 15 & Sunday 16, Saturday 22 & Sunday 23, October 2022 - 09.00 to 12.30hrs & 17.00 to 20.00hrs.