Johanna Barthet’s fourth solo exhibition is currently taking place at Studio 87, Liesse Hill, Valletta, until November 10. 

'Now you see me' comes on the back of three other solo exhibitions, held since 2019.

Known for her figurative work, contemporary portraits and unique mode of expression, Barthet has a passion for the human form and capturing the emotional side of the characters in her paintings.

Barthet studied art from a very young age and attended various courses in Malta, but she is mainly self-taught. Drawing inspiration from fashion editorials and social media platforms, she reinterprets the subjects in her own manner and simultaneously creates a distinctive mood in each of her works.

Barthet’s style has been likened to the movements of the early 20th century and is considered as one of Malta’s most fascinating artists of contemporary portraiture.

The exhibition runs until November 11.

'Now you see me' is a collection of paintings within a timeline of four years.

"It's been four years of upheaval for me on a personal level, eventually also impacting my artistic performance. In 2019, I had my very first solo exhibition and immediately after that I began to experience episodes of anxiety and panic attacks."

She sought comfort in a number of very spontaneous drawings on wooden blocks.

"After a few months, I gave these drawings colour, giving birth to the works displayed in this exhibition today. The small squares depicted all types of personalities in different faces. These continued to be of comfort, especially during the lockdown periods, possibly giving some kind of human connection at a time where as humans we were physically separated. It was a period of time, where like so many other people, I could feel the decline of my mental health."

Fast forward to summer 2023, and something propelled Barthet to find the strength to revisit these works, expressing a newfound passion and intensity in their execution.