One of Malta’s top figurative artists Madeleine Gera will be holding a solo exhibition titled Twilight at the Malta Society of Arts’ (MSA) seat Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta between the 7 and 14 January 2021. This first exhibition for the 2021 calendar of the state-of-the-art Galleries of the MSA will showcase more than 20 paintings by Gera.
A number of these oil paintings were created during the artist’s time in lockdown since
March. The pandemic brought along with it the unexpected gift of time, which Gera used
wisely to change plans, re-focus and create as much as she could. As a consequence, the
exhibition will feature a variety of works depicting places and people viewed or re-
viewed under lockdown, such as seaside scenes, gardens, markets, cafés, and interiors.
Following her last public show in 2019 at The Malta Postal Museum, where she had
presented a collection of fine drawings, mainly nudes and portraits, Gera will now be
exhibiting a selection of colourful oils. These were inspired by the new situation which
she found herself in due to the virus, with very few people out and about, coupled with
new feelings and emotions brought on by the pandemic. The paintings will be a
welcome sight for connoisseurs, who will be able to experience a different facet of this
talented artist.
Some of Gera’s favourite pieces to be exhibited depict Teatru Manoel and various
characters from operas, reflecting her love for theatre and music: “All my paintings have
their own story and it’s hard to pick some over others. However, I listen to operatic
music when I’m working and this has brought forth portraits of three characters from
operas which I’ve grown quite attached to: Don Giovanni, Count Almaviva and Carmen.”
Reflecting on her work as curator of this exhibition, Marika Azzopardi remarks: “My role
as curator of Madeleine Gera's solo exhibition has not just been your average curatorial experience, but one tinted with an experience of discovery. Gera's works are incredibly suggestive of a deep sense of observation and introspection. Her choice of palette is delicate, determined and refined, and each painting is an experience unto itself.”
The exhibition will be open for one week only and art aficionados are encouraged to
make the most of this short time. Entrance is free, subject to the Covid-19 safety
measures being adopted by the Malta Society of Arts, including the use of masks and
hand sanitisers, as well as the checking of temperatures, in order to safeguard all
visitors.
