Richard Saliba – Artist

Artist Richard Saliba first enrolled at the Government School of Art in 1960 studying under Esprit Barthet and Vincent Apap. Between 1975 and 1978 he attended several summer courses at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Perugia and at the Istituto Statale D’Arte in Urbino.

Richard Saliba has been active and exhibiting his works since 1972, and has participated in numerous personal and collective exhibitions.

When and how did you get started?
My first exhibition comprised of paintings representing landscape, portraits and still life, as well a small collection of etchings. In later years and with a greater maturity, my exhibitions were in most cases restricted to landscape work. In the early years of the present century I explored the possibilities of abstract work. In most recent work I have been finding inspiration in portrait and figure painting.

What genre do you consider your work to be?
Basically it is figurative with a preference to landscape painting.

Describe your work in 10 words or less.
Peaceful, haunting, atmospheric, and serene.

Where was your first exhibition held?
The National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta in 1975.

Do you have a favourite from among your own artworks? If so, why?
The Beach. I consider the composition and the overall light effects to have been generally successful.

What are you working on at the moment?

During the past few months I have been concentrating on the organisation of this exhibition which obviously requires a lot of thought and work.

Which artist’s work are you most inspired by?
British artist David Hockney and Italian Felice Casorati.

If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
A musician

What is the epitome of happiness for you?
To be at peace with myself, with family and friends.

Favourite colour and what it means to you?
Blue, it is the colour of the sea and of the sky. I feel at peace with myself.

What is your favourite indulgence?
Seafood and good wine

The Summing Up – a Retrospective Exhibition by Richard Saliba will take place at the Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de la Salle, 219 Republic Street, Valletta from Friday 25 September until Thursday 15 October. For further details check out the exhibition’s Facebook page.

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Paula Fleri-Soler

Paula has a pedigree in TV and stage production (children's and family entertainment) and a passion for the arts. She's taken the reins on The Artists' Directory - Malta and the relevant content for the site.