Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/576901
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2015 30 This Week What would you say have been some of the most significant developments in your artistic career? I think the most significant de- velopment in my artistic career is the fact that as I grow older I am taking more time to paint then I did 10 or 15 years ago. Back then I used to finish a painting in one session. By taking more time I don't mean going into very fine details, but rather expressing my thoughts better and clearer with fewer details. What made you decide to focus on memories of your childhood for this particular exhibition? Did you want to say something about the power of nostalgia? Three years ago I held an ex- hibition entitled 'Short Stories' which showcased scenes from my childhood. The show was very well received and the feedback of the visitors was whether I had any plans to do a follow up. The exhibition 'Dear Younger Me' describes and explores more of what life was like in lower Vallet- ta when I was young. For this ex- hibition, I let the little child in me play on the paper. Unfortunately, not too many people like to admit that they still have a little child inside them, which is a pity as life is a game from cradle to grave. What do the paintings say about the Malta of that particular time, and how does its contemporary counterpart compare? The paintings describe and il- lustrate what it was like back then playing in the street. Today, it is almost unheard of for children to play in the street. Computers only existed in TV shows and cell phones were still a fantasy. Today, we have all the things we need, yet we are losing our traditions to technology. In a few words, life was beautifully simple for us kids. In your opinion, how has the Maltese art scene changed over the years? I believe that today there are more opportunities for Maltese artists to work and exhibit their art, both in Malta and abroad. However, this is where the irony comes in. We are slaves to tech- nology, yet it is an indispensable tool for studying and growing up artistically. Having said that, there are many good upcoming artists and the future for the Mal- tese art scene bodes well. What advice would you give to aspiring Maltese artists today? My advice to aspiring Maltese artists is to never give up. Try ex- ploring and using different medi- ums, become familiar with what- ever tools are available to you. Take what is useful and develop from there. Last but not the least, be yourself. 'Dear Younger Me' will be on display at Palazzo de Piro, Mdina from October 2 to 31 Releasing the inner child across the canvas TEODOR RELJIC speaks to veteran artist Paul Caruana about his exhibition 'Dear Younger Me', which explores the Malta of his youth through a series of evocative watercolour paintings Paul Caruana Paul Caruana: Bobsled Paul Caruana: Saqqajja Paul Caruana: Ghana