The exhibition explores the nature of the line and how it has manifested itself over time, a subject that has challenged, inspired, and intrigued artists over many centuries. Through this selection of works, mostly of Maltese 20th century artists, such as Josef Kalleya, Alfred Chircop and Gabriel Caruana amongst others, as well as some works from the Victor Pasmore collection, the exhibition, designed by FPM Creative Director Michael Lowell and curated by Sarah Chircop, also from FPM, dives deep into the artists' drive to create and represent images, meanings, and emotions through line.
A fully illustrated exhibition catalogue accompanies the exhibition, featuring essays by prominent artists, art writers, and philosophers, including Matthew Attard, Robert Brewer Young, Vince Briffa, Richard England, Giulia Privitelli, and Michael Zammit.
Victor Pasmore, known as the father of British Abstraction, was a pioneer of the abstract art movement in Britain and a leading figure in its development. Moving from figurative painting to constructivism and on to abstraction, Pasmore found the latter to be the truest form of expression. Five of Pasmore's Linear Symphonies form part of this exhibition. They are displayed together in a cube format and are accompanied by a soundscape produced by Christian Galea, whereby the visitor is invited not just to look at Pasmore's lines, but also to listen to their movement, their story. This is a subject that Pasmore developed and executed in various media - drawing, paint, prints - over many years, experimenting with the rhythms and sounds of abstract painting that he referred to as 'visual music'.
Visitors can also download and experience the exhibition through a free app called Bloomberg Connects, which offers exclusive insights into key exhibition pieces. The app also showcases the collaboration with contemporary artist Matthew Attard and sound artist Christian Galea who engaged with various aspects of the curatorial narrative, both within and outside the exhibition space.
Throughout the exhibition's six-month run the Gallery has welcomed hundreds of visitors who enjoyed the work of Maltese modern artists. Patrimonju looks forward to hosting future exhibitions which continue champion the work of local twentieth-century artists. Immediately after this exhibition, the Gallery will become the permanent home of the Victor Pasmore collection, which is scheduled to open to the public in early summer 2024.
For further information about, please visit www.victorpasmoregallery.com/visit.
In Search of Line closes on 30 March. The Gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm (last entry 4pm); Thursday, 10am - 7pm (last entry 6pm). Tickets can be purchased at the door. The Victor Pasmore Gallery is located at APS House, 275, St Paul Street, Valletta.