Anyone familiar with Kenneth Zammit Tabona’s work will, in his mind’s eye, visualise his stylised studio work full of nostalgic depictions. Pen and ink gouaches of townscapes, landscapes, festas, gardens and the lavish interiors of Malta’s stately homes are just backdrops to the people he sees everyday. However, anyone visiting his latest exhibition at Gallery G in Lija will instantly be struck by what appears to be a radical change in style – a dramatic shift to the more uninhibited approach of depicting Malta’s character in pure watercolour landscapes that take centre stage.

Zammit Tabona’s latest watercolours, produced over the past year during open air painting sessions in various locations in Malta and Gozo, are the focus of his latest solo exhibition aptly entitled Al Fresco. The exhibition comprises 50 works created during outdoor painting sessions. Bank of Valletta is supporting this unique exhibition, which opened yesterday.

“The motivation behind this shift in expression started just over a year ago, when I was dragged kicking and screaming to my first experience of painting ‘en plein air’ in Gozo by two friends to whom I shall remain forever grateful – John Martin Borg and Tonio Mallia. Back then I was convinced that I would hate it. The sirocco was dire and an attempt to work at Xlendi Bay ended up a sorry, soggy mess, with the famous Gozo flies attacking the paint as if it were purest malt whisky! The seed however, was sown and being a bit of a terrier, I decided not to give up and to go on with it,” recalled the artist. “Like the whisky, painting alfresco is an acquired taste and one that I am now unable to get out of my system!

“Nowadays, I hardly ever miss my weekly appointment at different locations to paint al fresco and I have encouraged a group of artists, who have all become great friends, to join me. This exhibition is therefore the result of these outdoor painting sessions in which poetic spontaneity takes precedence over faithful depictions of landscapes. We can leave that to the camera. I feel that my outdoor work is what really captures the mood of the various places I visit. Gorgeously dramatic Fawwara is a firm favourite, as are the prehistoric temples and the dramatic views at Fomm ir-Rih,” the artist

concluded.

The exhibition is open to the public until 5 January.