A forthcoming exhibition, Realms of Colour at Gemelli Art Gallery-Ta’ Qali from September the 12-24, seeks to take the viewer to another world, another space and dimension, a world full of colour.
With this large collection of new works, artist Elaine Mifsud evokes a sense of otherworldliness, stirs inner emotions and offers a sense of positivity. She hopes viewers will disconnect from the chaos of the real world and experience the ‘realms’ that she visits each time she immerses herself in her own world of colours!
Mifsud describes herself as obsessed with colours and the drive to express myself in unbound ways through their use is her main inspiration. The exhibition was triggered by a simple statement by Mifsud’s curator and mentor Fabio Borg.
“When we first met, I offered Elaine a simple provocation: ‘Everyone knows the trees are green and the sky is blue,’ Borg explains. “I wanted to see what she would do with that idea and she ran with it. She embraced the challenge, questioned convention, and began to explore what lies beyond the obvious. The result is a body of work that doesn’t just represent the world, but reimagines it. Elaine’s art encourages us to dream. Her works are open spaces — realms where the viewer can wander, wonder, and rediscover the joy of imagination. Mifsud’s first solo exhibition is a celebration of that journey: of risk-taking, discovery, and the courage to see the world differently.”
‘It has been a true pleasure to accompany Elaine on her artistic journey over the past two years,” says Borg. “As her mentor and curator, I’ve seen her grow, challenge herself, and ultimately carve out a unique visual language that is entirely her own. Elaine works in a bold abstract idiom, using vibrant colours to evoke mood, motion, and emotion. Her canvases are alive with energy, not just in their composition, but in their intention. They speak a language beyond form, inviting viewers to go beyond the literal, to feel rather than interpret.”
The pieces depict imaginary spaces – or realms, Mifsud’s own ‘realms of colour’. These spaces were inspired by emotions, thoughts or state of mind at the time they were produced. Some depict abstract or philosophical notions, other pieces were a response to places, or memories such as Realm of Giverny, created whilst Mifsud was reminiscing about Claude Monet’s gardens which she visited a couple of years ago. “In this piece, I did not paint the waterlily pond; rather, I reimagined it and gave it an abstracted twist, capturing the delicate colours which stayed in my memory,” she explains.
“In ‘Contemplating the Hues of Spring’ and ‘The Emergence of Spring’, I sought to create a space dominated by the colours of Spring, which is a season I really love since it is a time associated with renewed energy.”
“’Virtuoso’ and ‘Allegro’ were carved when I was lost listening to classical pieces, which I like to play whilst working in my studio.
“‘Realm of Sky, Sea and Red Wine’ is another imaginary space which elicits a sense of freedom in me, and my favourite piece invites us to go into a ‘Realm of Dreams’.”
Some works invite the viewer to meditate and drift into otherworldliness whilst others simply represent Mifsud’s insatiable drive to express herself with colours.
Abstract art can elicit and stir different reactions and emotions in the viewer. Some works can touch a person deeply as he/she connects to a feeling or emotion which that piece might evoke or provoke. These pieces are deeply personal to me since I poured my sense of being in their creation, I hope that viewers can find a personal connection with some of the works and be able to shut off the chaotic outer world, and let Realms of Colour transport them to a different place, space and time, and experience the overall sense of positivity I find in vibrant colours.
It is the idea of sharing her very personal view of the world with others that encouraged Mifsud to start preparing for this exhibition.
“Lately I have been most comfortable with expressing myself through larger sized works,” Elaine continues. “It gives me a sense of freedom, more excitement, much more room to lose myself in the work. I like the challenge and the adrenaline rush as the colours flow on the canvas!”
“I am very excited to be presenting a solo show for the first time,” smiles Mifsud. “For an artist it is always very special and personal to share one’s art: it is like opening a window so other people can see into your own world of perception.”
Realms of Colour runs from September the 12-24Gemelli Art Gallery-Ta’ Qali
