The forthcoming exhibition by Silvio John Camilleri Urban Dreamscapes features works painted by the artist over the last year.
Visually speaking, these works mark a departure from previous exhibitions, despite retaining connections to earlier series of his, and his fascination with the urban environment as evidenced in the collection of Flyovers presented in his previous exhibition. The artist's new works introduce a prominent element of human presence, where the peripheral areas of urban towns seem inhabited by various characters, at times shown sleeping, or possibly meditating, or simply looking idle... maybe observing the observer.
Silvio John Camilleri commenced his art studies at the Malta Govt. School of Art in the late 1990s and following a break of some years while reading for a doctoral degree in finance, he resumed classes at the Malta Society of Arts in 2007. He followed specialised courses in human figure drawing and printing techniques under various tutors including Eman Grima and Lino Borg. Silvio John's works span over a variety of subjects, although most of them allude to the immediate environment and mundane life. This is the fourth solo exhibition by the artist, following 'Tempora Mutantur' (2024), 'Sights and Sites' (2022) and Ħarbaħolma - Images of a Wistful Escape' (2020).
In the artist's words...
"This collection, which I have been working on since 2023, explores the relationship between urban life and human experience, where individuals are sometimes entrenched in a deep sense of alienation or disconnection. The visual language juxtaposes some real-life locations with the imaginary, at times bordering on the surreal. The imagery conveys a sense of urban grit, decadence, and vulnerability, imbuing the human characters with a sense of outsider status.
Some figures are engaged in the mundane tasks of daily life, while others appear weighed down by its toils. There are those who act as indifferent observers, while others seem to retreat to the fringes of society - people often labelled as 'losers' by the mainstream.
The imagery of marginalization alludes to the alienation and isolation often faced in an urban context. The recurring depiction of concrete flyovers and supporting columns serves as a visual metaphor for the cold, impersonal nature of the urban lifestyle and its rigid customs. In several pieces, the atmosphere feels claustrophobic owing to the sense of being trapped within the confines of contemporary life. Thus, the overarching theme of this collection is how the relentless mundane 'rat race' can alienate and dehumanise us.
Despite these rather pessimistic tones, the collection is not entirely without hope. It is also my intention to highlight the resilience and adaptability of all those living within the urban system, suggesting that, despite its challenges, there remains a potential for transcendence".
Urban Dreamscapes will be held at the Wignacourt Museum, Parish Sqr, College Str. Rabat, between the 4th and the 25th January 2025. The opening hours are Monday - Sunday: 9.30am-4pm. Any changes in opening hours or particular activities related to the exhibition will be advised on the artist's Facebook and Instagram profiles. The official inauguration is scheduled for the 3rd January at 7pm.
