Lara Vella, a promising yet relatively new talent in the world of fine arts, is proud to present her fourth solo exhibition, Dari, an evocative collection of paintings capturing the idyllic essence of Malta. Dari holds dual significance in Maltese, meaning both "my home" and "once upon a time" denoted with a sense of nostalgia, perfectly encapsulating the sentiment woven into each piece.

This notion has become more eloquent for Lara while living abroad. Despite the nearness of Florence to Malta, being away from home has instilled in her a sense of belonging and nostalgia for her home country.

Her exhibition, which is being held at The Phoenicia Malta, consists of paintings that are finely and delicately executed in acrylic with a bright palette, that is very much a reflection of the colours present on these islands. However, Lara's colour is accentuated and creates a dreamlike quality. In fact, she claims that her choice of colours is due to her portraying her subjects through a child-like lens.

Vella's journey into the arts began with her formal education in fine arts, where she honed her skills and developed a unique artistic voice. Lara has, in fact, just completed a Master Course in Visual Arts in Florence, Italy, leaving Malta soon after she completed a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts and History of Art from the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Malta.

Her deep connection to her Maltese heritage profoundly influences her work, guiding her brushstrokes and colour choices. There is an omnipresent and distinct "Malteseness" to these works, some of which are idyllic while others are tongue-in-cheek. Dari is therefore a visual homage to Malta. The collection features a variety of landscapes, from sun-drenched coastal vistas to serene rural countryside, each painting a testament to Malta's natural beauty and rich culture.

The paintings reflect Lara's personal connection to Malta, embodying the warmth and familiarity of home. The use of light and colour imbues each scene with a dreamlike quality, inviting viewers to reminisce about their own cherished memories of the island and its food and customs.

The exhibition also highlights elements of Maltese culture, from traditional architecture to everyday life. These cultural references ground the idyllic and tranquil scenes in Malta's rich heritage, offering a glimpse into the island's soul: a man sitting outside his home enjoying the evening breeze, along with pastizzi, qagħaq tal-għasel, tomatoes and ġbejniet, a no entry sign on a field gate, and more. These are tangible elements.

The attention dedicated to the production of each painting has resulted in highly detailed artworks adequately capturing the textures with striking realism, at times hyper realistic, with Ħobż ta' Kuljum being particularly remarkable.

Born and raised in Mġarr, Malta, the young artist is young and bright, with a sunny disposition. All of these attributes are directly reflected in her paintings. She states: "Through Dari I aim to share my love for Malta and its beauty with the general public, locals and tourists alike. Each painting is a piece of my heart, a reflection of the places and moments that define what home means to me. I hope visitors can feel the same sense of peace and nostalgia that I experience when I paint these scenes."

Dari is an invitation to explore Malta through the eyes of an artist deeply in love with her homeland.

 

The exhibition, curated by Dr Charlene Vella, is open at the Palm Court Lounge, The Phoenicia Malta, throughout this month