Il-Hagar Heart of Gozo is commemorating the first anniversary of its opening. And as part of the celebrations, the museum and cultural centre is presenting a temporary collective exhibition entitled: Heart of Gozo – Scenes of an Island.

It is being set up in the museum’s foyer in St George Square, Victoria Gozo. The exhibition includes 14 distinct representations of Gozitan landscapes by contemporary artists Anthony Caruana, Christopher Saliba, George Scicluna, Jörg Böttcher, Justin Falzon, Maria Cassar, Mario Cassar, Mark Sagona, Paul Stellini, Rachel Galea, Toni Mizzi, Umberto Buttigieg, Victor Agius and Vincent Caruana.

All artists participating are currently residing in Gozo, some are Gozitans from birth, others have made Gozo their adoptive country. Their Gozitan depictions are not only artistic views of an idyllic sister island but these are also underpinned by a deep sense of attachment and belonging. More than simple impressions, these works are visual experiences of the artists’ first-hand encounter with the beauty of Gozo, the intensity of its colours, the warmth of its sun, the dynamicity of its climate, the silent void of its fertile countryside, the tranquillity of its villages, the charm of its close knit city centre, in fact they are portraying a piece of home.

The exhibition attempts to give an overview of how contemporary artists living in Gozo portray their surroundings in their artistic works. In fact, Heart of Gozo – Scenes of an Island offers a dynamic fusion of diverse styles, media and interpretations of the Gozitan scenery and character. From the traditional and realistic to the more personal depictions, from the vivid, bright coloured bold shaped representations to the more organic looking, expressive representations of the Gozitan landscapes, from the romantic views to the crude and also to pessimistic perceptions of Gozo.

The exhibition is open to the public until 21 March, Monday to Sunday: 9am to 5.30pm.

For more information contact Il-Hagar Heart of Gozo on 2155 7504, e-mail: [email protected]