Insider Outsider: Celebrating The Beauty Of Mellieħa Through Art
The Palm Court Lounge at The Phoenicia Malta will open its doors to a captivating exhibition of paintings by Debbie Bonello and Sarah Calleja.
Titled ‘Insider Outsider,’ the exhibition explores the artists’ unique perspectives and connections with Mellieħa, and opens on 5th May at 7pm.
Bonello, born and raised in Mellieħa, serves as the ‘Insider’ in the exhibition.
Although she no longer lives in the village, she still holds a deep affection for her hometown.
Calleja, on the other hand, assumes the role of the ‘Outsider,’ painting the beauty of Mellieħa through the eyes of a visitor captivated by the village’s natural surroundings.
Despite their differing perspectives, both artists share a passion for landscape painting and personal memories of Mellieħa, which they beautifully capture in acrylic, oil, and watercolour.
Work by Sarah Calleja
Bonello and Calleja, both based in Malta, have extensive experience and expertise in the world of visual arts.
Bonello, primarily self-taught, has participated in several collective exhibitions since 1997, following a career as an art educator. In addition to her local success, she was selected to participate in a Chinese cultural program in 2018, which took her to China, and had a painting translated into an NFT in 2021.
Bonello’s artistic career reached new heights in July 2022, as she was handpicked to create a mural commissioned by Microsoft for the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.
Calleja has pursued artistic training in Malta and abroad, including a short course at the prestigious Saint Martin’s College in London. Her primary interest lies in expressing a sense of place and emotion in her artwork. Calleja’s expertise lies in watercoluors, a medium she has been perfecting since she was ten years old, often working swiftly and focusing on form, composition, light, and shade.
Recently, she has gravitated towards a simpler style, even restricting her palette, but always remains true to her artistic journey, allowing for experimentation and maintaining the freshness of her work.
This captivating showcase is not to be missed by art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Will you be visiting this exhibition?