An exhibition of paintings and pictures by the late Maltese dramatist and novelist, Francis Ebejer, together with recent works by his son Damian are being displayed in the beautiful, tranquil courtyard of the Auberge de Castille in Valletta. Today is the last day of the exhibition.

The Two Ebejers exhibition follows hotly on the heels of the theatre production held on the 30 and 31 October Ghaziz Francis with Peter Busuttil and Pino Scicluna, based on Ebejer’s works and lifetime, put together by Marco Galea (pictured above).

Francis Ebejer’s works are mainly selected from his later years, the late 1980s. One cannot but feel that they complement a life full of artistic endeavour and originality.

The manuscripts of Francis Ebejer are full of doodles and little gems inked in with his bic during his numerous corrections over corrections. This habit developed and produced eye-catching works which one may see in the display.

The paintings by Damian Ebejer are chosen from among his most recent works. One finds great changes of approach towards his art. Here there is a freedom but in the same time the playfulness is restrained with his disciplined technique. These works speak with colour and send messages which can be stormy, other times silent and waiting. One exception to Damian’s collection is the work he submitted for the Christian Art Bienale last year, namely, Spilt Wine at the Last Supper, a visually very spiritual painting.

Damian readily admits that his father’s influence on him as a youngster was great, but adds that there was never any pressure from Francis to seek an artistic career. Today Damian Ebejer is a full-time artist and is known for his artistic decorations on ceilings and murals in several palazzos and private residences around Malta and Gozo, including Palazzo Falzon (Norman House),Mdina Palazzo Parisio, Valletta, Casa Rocca Piccola,Valletta, Palazzo Olivier, Balzan and Palazzo Marina, Valletta.

Earlier this year Damian opened RUX, a small art gallery in Balzan where he also displays earlier works together with a “hand-picked” selection of ceramics, sculpture and a few other painters’ work. Today the gallery is open from from 9am to 1pm.

Entrance free.