Rare opening of Patrick Dalli’s private gallery

Art enthusiasts will be treated to a rare and intimate cultural experience this December as Maltese artist Patrick Dalli opens the doors of his private gallery in Marsascala to the public for just three days.

Titled Midweek Art Fix – Patrick Dalli’s Private Gallery, the event runs on December 17 from 7 to 11pm and December 18-19 from 2 to 8pm, offering a limited but invaluable opportunity to explore the artist’s work inside the very space where much of it is conceived.

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Known for his commanding large-scale nudes, dynamic watercolours, and more recently, his stylised landscapes, Dalli has long occupied a position in Malta’s contemporary art scene.

Born in 1955, he developed his practice through an informal, self-directed path before pursuing academic training in 1995, a pivotal moment that deepened his dedication to studying the human form. Life drawing and observation became foundational to his work, fuelling an approach anchored in close attention to anatomy, gesture and the subtleties of physical presence. The upcoming exhibition highlights this evolution, presenting a curated selection that traces Dalli’s enduring fascination with the human figure while revealing the new pathways he continues to explore.

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Visitors will encounter the artist’s iconic nude paintings, works renowned for their tactility, monumental scale and unflinching celebration of the body. Many of these pieces demonstrate Dalli’s command of form – his ability to sculpt the figure with paint, capturing weight, vulnerability and immediacy.

Complementing these are a series of expressive watercolours, including studies produced during short-pose life sessions. These works offer a contrast to the weight and gravitas of his larger canvases, showcasing instead a fluid, spontaneous approach. Their gestural economy reveals the artist’s instinctive draughtsmanship and the quick decision-making inherent in live, time-restricted sessions.

In recent years, however, Dalli’s artistic journey has expanded into new visual territory. His exploration of stylised landscapes – initially a departure from his figurative roots – has developed into a rich and compelling body of work.

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This latest series, also featured in the exhibition, merges human form with natural topography, creating images where contours of bodies echo hills, valleys and coastlines. Through this integration, Dalli constructs a shared visual language that unites two longstanding artistic subjects, reframing both in unexpected ways.

The decision to open his private gallery underscores Dalli’s ongoing commitment to engaging directly with the public and sharing the intimate environment that nurtures his practice. For visitors, the experience promises not only an encounter with significant works but also a deeper understanding of the artist’s evolving methodology, inspirations and the physical space that supports his creativity.

Midweek Art Fix – Patrick Dalli’s Private Gallery runs on December 17 from 7 to 11pm and December 18-19 from 2 to 8pm at Triq Vajrita, Marsascala. Event by Melanie Erixon for Art Sweven.