Couvre Porte, Birgu

This exhibition introduces us to the works of two promising young artists. The paintings and drawings of Audrey Buttigieg Cardona and Charmaine Zammit are brought together in this most charming of encounters. In this symbiotic relationship both artists help each other grow by giving each other mutual encouragement. There are differences as well as similarities. The common spark seems to be flowers.

However the artists are exploring two totally different approaches and are inspired and motivated to work by very different external stimuli. The result is a body of work that explores the same ideas in diverse styles and although the media used may seem similar, one artist works in oils, the other in acrylics.

Audrey Buttigieg Cardona and Charmaine Zammit have been friends through art for many years. They met on their way to their first art lesson and their friendship has lasted to this day. Both artists are now art teachers and have worked alongside each other through long years of comfortable friendship. Both Audrey and Charmaine were taught and inspired by Alfred Portelli while still in their teens. Audrey also studied under Joseph Mallia and Paul Vella Critien. Charmaine was taught by Trevor Zahra, Joe Micallef, Lino Borg and J. P. Cassar.

Though united in their love of art the personality and painting styles of the two are very different.

In fact the artists work under totally different conditions. While Audrey needs the company of those around her in order to be creative, Charmaine is the complete opposite and prefers to work alone.

One inspiration both artists share are flowers.

The work of these young women testifies to the need of human beings to express themselves visually, creating images to communicate with others in a non-verbal way. Such images and forms transcend the barriers of the spoken language and continue to speak long after their creators cease to be.