This December, Gallery 23 invites the public to embark on an extraordinary artistic journey with Painting with Light, a collective exhibition showcasing the works of 14 acclaimed Maltese artists. Running from today through 20 December, the exhibition celebrates the interplay between light and shadow, revealing how illumination can evoke emotion, define space and narrate stories.

The featured artists - Alfie Gatt, Andrew Borg, Andrew Smith, CS Lawrence, Catherine Cavallo, Celia Borg Cardona, Debbie Bonello, Henry Falzon, Jeni Caruana, Johanna Barthet, Marisa Attard, Ryan Falzon, Sarah Calleja and Tonio Mallia - each bring a unique vision to the theme. Through diverse interpretations, they transform everyday interiors, landscapes, and objects into striking compositions that highlight the profound influence of light.

The power of light: A timeless artistic tradition

Curators Alexia Gingell Littlejohn and Rachel Said drew inspiration from the classic chiaroscuro technique, famously mastered by Renaissance painters such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Vermeer. Chiaroscuro, the interplay of light (chiaro) and shadow (scuro), creates depth and drama, evoking powerful emotions. This technique, which has transcended painting to influence photography and film, remains central to Painting with Light.

"Light is not just a tool; it's a narrative force," explains Gingell Littlejohn. "It defines spaces, shapes stories and conveys emotion. This exhibition invites viewers to consider light as more than a visual element - it's a bridge between the tangible and the intangible."

Exploring interiors and beyond

The exhibition's central theme explores both natural and artificial light, revealing how each transforms the perception of space. Viewers will encounter sun-drenched interiors where light filters through windows, casting intricate shadows that dance across surfaces. In contrast, nocturnal scenes come alive under artificial lighting, illuminating buildings, objects and monuments with an almost ethereal glow.

A particularly intriguing aspect of the exhibition is its focus on Fuori/Dentro - the transitions between interior and exterior spaces. This concept challenges artists to capture how light guides the eye through doorways, across thresholds and beyond walls. "The interplay between inside and outside is like a dialogue," notes Said. "It's about movement and connection, the way light flows and transforms our perception."

A journey through artistic movements

Painting with Light draws connections to various historical movements and masters of light. Viewers will recognise echoes of:

• Dutch Golden Age Interiors: Inspired by artists like Johannes Vermeer and Pieter de Hooch, these works offer glimpses into private lives, using light to reveal symbolic details and evoke domestic intimacy.
• Impressionist & Post-Impressionist explorations: Evoking the vibrant, light-filled interiors of Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard, these pieces blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Modern isolation: Edward Hopper's emotive use of light to depict solitude and introspection resonates in several works, where light becomes a metaphor for hope or despair.
• Surrealist dreamscapes: Some artists embrace the surreal, using light to create mysterious or dreamlike atmospheres reminiscent of René Magritte's symbolic interiors.

Light as emotion: A personal narrative

The emotional depth of the exhibition is palpable. Each artist's interpretation reflects personal experiences and states of mind. "Light can symbolise so much - hope, renewal, introspection," says Gingell Littlejohn. "Darker periods yield sombre works, yet even these often find light as a symbol of resilience."

The exhibition challenges viewers to consider how light shapes their own perceptions and emotions. Familiar scenes and objects may evoke nostalgia, comfort or curiosity, inviting personal reflection.

Engage with the artists

Art lovers have the opportunity to meet the artists and gain deeper insights into their creative processes during the exhibition's open days which are Sundays from 11am to 12.30pm and Wednesdays from 6.30 to 8pm.

Private viewings can also be arranged by appointment by phoning on 9942 8272 or emailing [email protected].

A must-see exhibition

Painting with Light is more than an art exhibition; it's an exploration of how light transforms space, evokes emotion and tells stories. Whether you're an art aficionado or a casual visitor, this collection promises to captivate and inspire.

Don't miss this extraordinary journey through light and shadow at Gallery 23, Balzan. The exhibition runs until 20 December.