Marika Azzopardi

A total of 35 paintings beckon from within the interior of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, in a space which is perfectly imbued with a quiet calm that dispels any frenzy on the outside. This is a collection of works by Richard Saliba, one of the most romantic contemporary landscapists on the local art scene. I first discovered Saliba's work some years ago, when in its totality it was already speaking of colours that reflect visible serenity. He explains what urged him to present paintings again after a lull in public exhibition, "The Colour of Light project started out thanks to one of my works dating back from 2011 and forming part of an exhibition of works I had shown at the Italian Cultural Institute here in Valletta. I was particularly fond of this painting which is here among these now. It inspired me to follow on in the same direction and I have been working on the collection since, completing all these scenic paintings over the last three years".The artist claims that most of the landscapes depict Gozo which is very close to Saliba's heart.  However, he is quick to point out that his intention was not to capture specific places and sites, but rather to capture the effects of our countryside's scenic colours in different moments of light. Many of his paintings are not named specifically for this reason - on observing them the onlooker can recognise the typical Maltese landscape but cannot always specify which locality it is. Yet some are named Madliena, Dwejra, Gozo... just because the artist can provide the luxury of naming them. Because names are not required. One just has to gaze quietly to enjoy these works. A placid shade of yellow reigns supreme in most of the skies here, rather than the lighter cream coloured skies of earlier paintings. All the colours are delicately soft, whether in acrylic which is the medium used in the great majority of the paintings, or in oil which remains Richard Saliba's preferred medium of all time. The delicacy of these paintings clearly reflects the artist's own temperament - gentle and soft-spoken, a quiet well-mannered man. Yet the onlooker is surprised to see oranges and blues, in fields and meadows that give the feeling of reversed skies and landscapes and complete playful merriment - perhaps they touch upon the artist's own enjoyment of his art and nature. All shades merge and blend in perfect mellowness, some paintings seeming mellower than others. These paintings are not abstracts nor are they realist affairs. They touch upon fleeting moments in time, sensations, intuitions and goose bump instances which artists oftentimes feel when they are in tune and spiritually connected with nature. 
Richard Saliba, 'The Colour of Light' exhibition is being held at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Enterprise, Republic Street, Valletta. Open until 30 January: Monday to Friday:  9am - 7pm