Ivan Grixti will be exhibiting a selection of his paintings at the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat between 1 and 6 November. This exhibition is part of Rabat Sacrum, an event organised by the Rabat Local Council on the weekend of 2-3 November. Sanctity and humanity will cover the artist's most intense and spiritual oeuvres. Ivan's most notable works will be on display. Some are commissioned works and others are available for viewing and purchase by the general public.

The exhibition is a walk-through experience made up of four distinct themes - The Religious Series, The Portrait Series, The Abstract series and also social themes and illustrations. Viewing the works one can attest to the artist's ability to hit a nerve both stylistically and thematically. The themes portrayed are of simple subjects but with powerful messages: acts of kindness - mercy and forgiveness are present in these paintings. He portrays a Crucified Christ on a modest sized panel with an undefined background. This painting process is linked to many of his works not specifically pertaining to religious themes. The walk-through itself offers a dimension of transcendence and renewal both in style and theme.

These Religious series of works are a mixture of depictions in which the main concern is in the depiction of Christ's passion. The focus of this exhibition is a triptych: St George Preca, Eternal Resurrected Victim and Standing by the cross. Christ on the cross and Our Lady are clear references to human suffering. This work's technique and execution is that of impeccable clarity and rendition. Other evocative works depicting sanctity and humanity are part of this exhibition: St George with children is one example. Grixti also depicts the servant of God, Eugenio Borg. He portrays his zeal and his love of God through evangelisation.

The exhibition covers the more familiar themes which portray the human condition and suffering. More notable works, depicted with uncanny beauty and perfection are States of the soul, the portrait of Pope Benedict and a series about the homeless of Proznan, Poland. Ivan visited homeless people and was touched by the hardship they were suffering.

The illustrations series incorporate other themes that touch on humanity that are often mentioned by Pope Francis. Such themes as war, food, family and children, slavery and so on. The abstract series ends reflecting on the beautiful and the good. Man is always in search of beauty and Ivan abstracts this concept in a harmonious blend of colour and shapes very often sealed into a layer of resin.

The artist has a versatile style which oscillates from accurate rendition to the destruction of perfection, his works are meant to evoke and provoke heartfelt emotions. This artist believes that art must be contemplated from a new perspective which involves and invites the viewer introspectively to observe the world around him, to ask questions and appreciate beauty. The beauty of this exhibition is the depth that one may find in these works; the contemplation given to their narrative; the attention to detail and conscious choice of purposely abandoning the traditional painterly norms.

Sanctity and humanity will be running at the Wignacourt Museum between 1 and 6 November. Opening hours: 9.30am to 5pm. On Saturday and Sunday, 2-3 November the Museum will be open to the public at 9.30pm till late.