Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544052
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 25 MARCH 2026 CULTURE THE April exhibition at The Phoenicia Malta introduc- es Maltese audiences to two contemporary Italian painters whose practices offer a compel- ling exploration of perception through distinct yet comple- mentary approaches. Positioned within a long history of cultural exchange between Malta and Sicily, the exhibition reflects a renewed commitment to intro- ducing strong contemporary artistic voices to the local scene, while situating Maltese audienc- es within a broader Mediterra- nean artistic dialogue. Simone Geraci's work centres on the human figure as a site of introspection. His paintings re- ject spectacle in favour of quiet presence, depicting bodies that dissolve into softly modulat- ed atmospheres. Rooted in the tradition of figurative painting yet distinctly contemporary in sensibility, Geraci's work combines technical refinement with psychological depth, re- sulting in paintings that reward sustained looking and resonate strongly within private collec- tions. Federico Severino, by con- trast, constructs paintings en- tirely through light and colour. His works suggest rather than describe landscape, evoking Mediterranean horizons, dawn light, and atmospheric transi- tions through subtle tonal gra- dations. With their luminous surfaces and immediate visual impact, Severino's paintings possess a strong spatial and emotional presence, making them particularly suited to most interiors and internation- al collecting contexts. Presented together, the artists establish a dialogue between body and atmosphere, pres- ence and horizon. The figure becomes a point of stillness within a wider field of light, inviting reflection on the relationship between the self and its environment. This exhibition also marks a significant collaboration be- tween Charlene Vella and Gal- leria Quam (Sicily), bringing a carefully selected group of works directly from the artists' studios to Malta. The limited nature of the selection offers a rare opportunity to engage with and acquire works that have already attracted atten- tion within international exhi- bition circuits and private col- lections. The exhibition runs from 1 to 29 April. Beyond the Light