British artist Richard Rees’s enduring fascination with Malta is reflected in his debut local exhibition, currently on at The Phoenicia.
Colour and Memory brings together a vibrant selection of his pastel and oil paintings, many of which capture the island’s unique architectural and cultural fabric.
From the luminous dome of Mdina’s Cathedral to the honey-coloured bastions of Fort St Angelo, the dynamic harbour cranes of the Grand Harbour, and the bustling fishing village of Marsaxlokk, his paintings frame Malta’s built and lived landscapes through a personal and expressive lens.
Rooftop views of Valletta, the richly gilded interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral, and colourful luzzu boats further extend this portrait of place.
Although rooted in architecture, Rees’s approach is far from documentary. Instead, he heightens colour, emphasises texture and captures fleeting impressions. His works oscillate between representation and expression, delighting in the chromatic interplay of sea, stone, and sky.
“Malta is such a joyous place to paint in. I delight in colour and employ it to heighten my experience of places. As an architect turned artist, I naturally include buildings in nearly all my work, but I always want to express their context − the life around them, ” the artist said.
Rees, who has been painting for over 50 years, is currently president of the UK Pastel Society, and is widely recognised for his mastery of oil pastels − a medium he employs with striking freshness and immediacy.
His career is distinctive in that he trained and worked as an international architect before returning to art full-time following his retirement in 2012. His architectural background naturally permeates his work: his paintings reveal a deep sensitivity to urban form, rhythm and scale, while simultaneously celebrating colour and atmosphere.
He exhibits regularly in London, including at the Mall Galleries with the Pastel Society, and has held solo shows at prestigious venues such as the Royal Automobile Club. He has also contributed widely to publications on pastel painting and teaches pastel techniques internationally.
Colour and Memory, curated by Charlene Vella, runs until October 20.
