Says Jenny Wheately who is very actively involved in its organization and is herself one of the artists exhibiting: “The RWS  is the most highly prestigious Society of watercolour painting in the UK and one that was first formed in 1804 as a rebellious breakaway from the Royal Academy who, at that time, did not take seriously painting in any form other than oils,”  she explains. “ Watercolours then were referred to as watercolour drawings and had always been seen as either a polite amateur pastime or  as sketches for “paintings” i.e oils. The formation of the Royal Watercolour Society with the Queen as our patron changed the whole way that watercolours and more recently works on paper, were perceived,” says Jenny.

There are 45 full male members and 29 full female members as well as four associates (new members on probation) of the RWS at present. Most members work in other media as well as watercolour.  When they came out to Malta to paint for the works now exhibited  Marsaxlokk was a very popular venue, says Jenny, ‘possibly as a foil to fabulous architecture on offer elsewhere in Malta.” What does she consider to be the best part of working with watercolours? “The love of the medium, the dialogue that the artist has to have with its uncertainties and the immediacy and variety of approach possible in it,” she says without hesitation.

Was the painting experience of these artists in Malta a good one? “We all loved the island, the subject matter and the vibrancy and welcome of its people,” Jenny assures me enthusiastically.
The process of election to the RWS is a hard and lengthy one, Jenny continues to explain. “It involves sponsorship by existing members, submission of four framed works and 10 mounted sheets of supporting drawings and paintings, and then a ballot vote by members that lasts several hours over a number of rounds. Once elected, each member can continue indefinitely until such time as they wish to retire. We also have a number of honorary members who, while not always painters, have contributed hugely to the Society in a number of various ways, and David Elyan is one of our most recently elected honorary members.” Mr Elyan, a frequent visitor to Malta who has also made various donations both to the University of Malta and the Museum of Fine Arts, is very much involved in the organization of this exhibition.

Says Jenny: “We first showed as a Society in Malta as a result of a painting and cultural trip during the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the awarding of the George Cross to Malta, and our second visit as a group took place in 2011 in preparation for the 70th anniversary of the same event. After some delays we showed in London at the Bankside Gallery, home of the RWS in March of this year, opened by the then High Commissioner for Malta, Joseph Zammit Tabona. Our show in Malta at the Auberge d’Italie,  sponsored by Heritage Malta  and The Farsons Foundation opened last Wednesday and will run until 15th December.” Please note that there will be no credit card facility so all purchases will need to be by cash or cheque.

Who are the artists exhibiting I want to know? Jenny mentions the following participating members, apart from herself:  Richard Bawden, June Berry, Dennis Roxby Bott, Michael Chaplin, George Devlin, Angus Mcewan, John Newberry, David Paskett, Simon Pierse, Neil Pittaway, Peter Quinn and Jan Treloar. There will be approximately 140 works in the exhibition by these thirteen members. Some of the works were completed in situ and others are a result of works from drawings taken back to the studio and worked into larger studio pieces.

Could she give readers an idea of the subjects which these artists have painted? “They vary from the beautiful buildings of Malta to harbour views, botanical works and depictions of the cliffs at Dingli, views of Gozo and interiors of churches and cafés as well as drawings of the old buses. While in Malta we were lucky enough to have been allowed to paint in various government villas and grounds, and there will therefore be depictions of Villa Francia, Girgenti and the President’s Courtyard. We all paint extremely differently and there will be both traditional and contemporary uses of the medium. All works will be for sale.”
Jenny hopes that they will be offering walk-through talks by RWS members that can be booked in advance during the show, as well as lectures and some art classes. But dates for these have yet to be finalized.” 

The exhibition will remain open at the Auberge d’Italie, Valletta until 15 December 2013, Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 5.00pm; Saturday 9.00am to 12.30pm.