Sights and Sites features a collection landscapes and streetscapes painted by the artist Silvio John Camilleri. The show is being curated by former gallerist Perit Fleur-Marie Ebejer. The works included in this exhibition may be considered as a summation of the artist's thoughts when present at the particular locations... a feeling of being dwarfed either by the vastness of impressive rock formations, or by the curvilinear structure of a multiple-lane road. This resonates with a phrase from the poem Delirio by Federico García Lorca, alluding to the overwhelming feeling experienced as "the landscape opens its arms wide" (El paisaje tiene abiertos sus brazos).
In the artist's words...
"This collection includes a selection of works from the past three years. The choice of the represented locations may have been somewhat 'arbitrary', although restricted to those places which I somehow visit as a pastime or when commuting. Whilst I was aware that at some point this output would be presented as a solo exhibition, I did not engage in any explicit effort to produce a cohesive series and merely painted what I felt inclined towards.
Still, when viewing these landscapes in hindsight, I discern salient interlinking elements. In most cases, compositions feature the interplay of man-made elements with vegetation in its natural format, alluding to mankind's interaction with the environment. This dichotomy is probably reinforced by the choices of locations themselves... from the natural beauty of the Maqluba doline to Aldo Moro Road in Marsa - one of the most urbanised local areas. Hence the title of the exhibition - Sights and Sites - suggesting the juxtaposition of the picturesque and the urban.
Most of the works in this collection were executed in acrylics, but the technique varies across the paintings. Probably when representing the more rural element I adopted a rather spontaneous approach, whereas the urban locations were typically rendered through multiple layers (sessions of work) possibly due to the intricacies associated with the depiction of a convincing perspective".
According to the exhibition curator Perit Fleur-Marie Ebejer
"It is not without an underlying sense of dread that we habitually go through dark asphalted main roads, considering such toils as a necessary evil. Silvio John Camilleri's gentle nature and observant character unassumingly invite us to take a second look at such commonplace locations. With his urban landscapes, the artist - very skilfully - tempts us to pause and observe the banal, which usually goes unnoticed.
Sights and Sites is a strand of works that depicts the urban aspect but it is also tinged with a softer side comprising natural landscapes. Therefore, this collection is enriched not only through varying styles and colour palettes, but also in its dichotomous character - the poetic beauty of nature as opposed to highly urbanised arterial roads. The artist's eyes see and interpret what we often overlook. Through his focusing on the mundane, Silvio John is hinting that an element of beauty may lurk even within ugliness.
Silvio John's docile nature is evident throughout - including in his renderings of the most harsh of subjects: the Maqluba doline, the rough rock formations, and the mute to dark hues of Aldo Moro Road. The hard surfaces seem to turn into ribbons linking to a softer landscape. Rather than concealed or removed altogether, lampposts become walking sticks which help us navigate through the scene with renewed gusto as their vertical shapes balance the horizontals of the surroundings. On their part, the natural landscapes offer a different kind of appeal where a sense of tenderness and placidity is conveyed by the compositions, the colour schemes, and the brushstrokes. The latter are often vivid but never aggressive".
The exhibition 'Sights and Sites' by Silvio John Camilleri is taking place at the King's Own Band Club, 274, Republic Street, Valletta until 11th January 2023.