Trees are once again in the limelight and this time round, for a just cause. An exhibition of varied works has been brought together once again on the initiative of 34U in a bid to raise increased awareness about the importance of trees in the environment. The exhibition collects the works of several artists - a total of 32 exhibits that range from watercolours through to sculptures.
Considering that nature has been of prime attraction to artists who have depicted landscapes, trees, flowers and what not in all forms and manners, it is not surprising to see some rather diverse takes on the topic of trees. A tree, is a tree, is a tree... But that's just for the likes of people who have never raised a paintbrush. This small exhibition proves otherwise. Most works are strictly thematic, focusing on landscape from realistic to abstract. Some pictures stand out simply for their absence of green and while it makes the viewer wonder what the picture could have in common with the rest, perhaps one can concede that the inclusion was meant to help raise funds for the national afforestation project, a project which has seen great interest growing apace with the initiative's activities and popularity.
One of the smallest works - simple yet exquisitely executed with a light-hearted palette - is by Pamela Nicholas Calleja: The Judas Tree. Completely different is Isabelle Borg's take with vibrant colours of fauvist characteristics - From Xaghra l-Hamra Towards Rdum Majesa.
Half-way through the colour patches comes the work of cartoonist Maurice Tanti Burlò, who has once again picked out some amusing specimens from his wide portfolio. Four pen and ink originals off The Times of Malta and The Sunday Times, spanning the years of 1977, 1979 and 2004, grab hold of some of Malta's political innuendos, treating viewers to some leafy amusement.
Clyde Haber goes cubist with Cubes N Leaves, while Roberto Cippolene (Ciro) takes to assembling driftwood in an arrangement that confronts us with the end result of our "use" of wood - the abandoned, mottled and seemingly "dead" castaways.
Man's presence in the land of plenty is coined by Marco Arcidiacono's depiction of one of Gozo's most idyllic locations - Harvesting, Marsalforn Gozo, and then there is the largest work of all by James Vella Clark, Autumn Wind In Cipres Garden. Anna Galea treats us to Carnival Mood, one of her flowery compositions, and then we're back where we started with another indigenous Maltese tree, Carob Tree by Matthew Kassar who depicts it in his fashion of collage art.
I could go on and on, describing works by the rest of the artists, namely, Charles Sammut, Victor Sammut, Neville Ferry, Graham Woodall, Richard Saliba, Luciano Micallef, Anthony P. Vella, Joe Spiteri Staines and Frans Galea.
But if you're seeking some respite from the unrelenting sun and green inspiration, a visit to this exhibition will provide plenty of muses and shade.
• Trees and the Environment is a 34U initiative organised by the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, in collaboration with Heritage Malta. All funds raised are in aid of purchasing saplings to support the Tree for You campaign in a bid to plant more trees in our countryside and public spaces. Funds will also help replace the 3,000 vandalised trees of the Foresta 2000 project in Mellieha. The exhibition runs at St James Cavalier, Valletta until July 1.
Considering that nature has been of prime attraction to artists who have depicted landscapes, trees, flowers and what not in all forms and manners, it is not surprising to see some rather diverse takes on the topic of trees. A tree, is a tree, is a tree... But that's just for the likes of people who have never raised a paintbrush. This small exhibition proves otherwise. Most works are strictly thematic, focusing on landscape from realistic to abstract. Some pictures stand out simply for their absence of green and while it makes the viewer wonder what the picture could have in common with the rest, perhaps one can concede that the inclusion was meant to help raise funds for the national afforestation project, a project which has seen great interest growing apace with the initiative's activities and popularity.
One of the smallest works - simple yet exquisitely executed with a light-hearted palette - is by Pamela Nicholas Calleja: The Judas Tree. Completely different is Isabelle Borg's take with vibrant colours of fauvist characteristics - From Xaghra l-Hamra Towards Rdum Majesa.
Half-way through the colour patches comes the work of cartoonist Maurice Tanti Burlò, who has once again picked out some amusing specimens from his wide portfolio. Four pen and ink originals off The Times of Malta and The Sunday Times, spanning the years of 1977, 1979 and 2004, grab hold of some of Malta's political innuendos, treating viewers to some leafy amusement.
Clyde Haber goes cubist with Cubes N Leaves, while Roberto Cippolene (Ciro) takes to assembling driftwood in an arrangement that confronts us with the end result of our "use" of wood - the abandoned, mottled and seemingly "dead" castaways.
Man's presence in the land of plenty is coined by Marco Arcidiacono's depiction of one of Gozo's most idyllic locations - Harvesting, Marsalforn Gozo, and then there is the largest work of all by James Vella Clark, Autumn Wind In Cipres Garden. Anna Galea treats us to Carnival Mood, one of her flowery compositions, and then we're back where we started with another indigenous Maltese tree, Carob Tree by Matthew Kassar who depicts it in his fashion of collage art.
I could go on and on, describing works by the rest of the artists, namely, Charles Sammut, Victor Sammut, Neville Ferry, Graham Woodall, Richard Saliba, Luciano Micallef, Anthony P. Vella, Joe Spiteri Staines and Frans Galea.
But if you're seeking some respite from the unrelenting sun and green inspiration, a visit to this exhibition will provide plenty of muses and shade.
• Trees and the Environment is a 34U initiative organised by the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment, in collaboration with Heritage Malta. All funds raised are in aid of purchasing saplings to support the Tree for You campaign in a bid to plant more trees in our countryside and public spaces. Funds will also help replace the 3,000 vandalised trees of the Foresta 2000 project in Mellieha. The exhibition runs at St James Cavalier, Valletta until July 1.