Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1137604
CULTURE ARTS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 JUNE 2019 8 LIKE a phoenix rising from the ashes, long-standing art- ist Alex Dalli's exhibition is quite literally his way of emerging from the devas- tation caused by a fire that damaged part of his house, including important art- works. Some of the works exhibited will show obvious signs of 'damage' as a result of the event, while others were directly inspired by the experience. Trained with local art stal- warts like George Fenech, Esprit Barthet and Harry Al- den, Dalli is a sensitive artist who uses his art as a meta- phorical walking stick that accompanies him on all of his journeys. Using academ- ic research and technique as a starting point, his art is mainly concerned with the exploration of the spiritual through simple and abstract- ed forms and compositions. Dalli's artistic oeuvre is char- acterised by a particular styl- ised visual language which captures the salient features and essences of things. When asked about why he decided to put up this ex- hibition, Dalli commented: "I wanted the paintings to speak for me, and going through this process of ex- ternalisation of what me and my family have been through has helped me a lot psycho- logically. Some of the works feature darkness and soot, while others picture me and my wife leaving the scene hand in hand." Curated by Roderick Camilleri, the exhibition is named 'Preżenza' (presence in Maltese) because of vari- ous reasons. As Camilleri ex- plains, the works have a lot of 'presence' that compels the viewer to look intensely. In a way they're also the artist's way of saying 'I'm still here, present and standing', but the concept of the presence also reflects ancient philosophies to strip down works to an 'es- sential' state of being. "Preżenza" by Alex Dalli opened this Thursday in the Art Galleries of Palazzo de La Salle, Malta Society of Arts, Valletta. The exhibition will remain open until Saturday 20 July 2019. For opening hours visit www.artsmalta. org/events/prezenza-exhibi- tion-by-alex-dalli. Entrance is free. Alex Dalli exhibits new and older works at MSA The exhibition entitled 'Preżenza' at the Malta Society of Arts' Palazzo de La Salle is the artist's way of dealing with a fire that destroyed some of his works and affected him deeply