Joe Spiteri Staines is relatively new on the local art scene and prefers painting with pastel. He believes that pastels have an immediacy which no other medium has and the vibrant colours achieved, due to working with pure pigment, are difficult to obtain with other mediums.

His exhibits, besides a selection of landscapes and seascapes, include a series of portraits of ladies wearing earrings created by Mr Attard.

The earrings in the portraits will also be on display.

Mr Attard’s work is a fusion of traditional and contemporary motifs and forms, some purely abstract, others practical, but with an emphasis on abstract. The exhibition will be held at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Palazzo De La Salle, 219 Republic Street, Valletta from 9 to 23 February.

Entrance is free and the opening hours are from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 12.30pm, and 4.30pm and 6.30pm.