- Urban Dreamscapes
- Art exhibition by Silvio John Camilleri
- Wignacourt Museum, Parish Square, College Street, Rabat, Malta
- 4 January 2025 - 25 January 2025
Prof. Silvio John Camilleri, who is an Associate Professor at the Department of Banking, Finance and Investments within the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, is exhibiting his latest series of artworks at the Wignacourt Museum in Rabat.
Camilleri began his artistic journey at the Malta Government School of Art in the late 1990s and following a break of some years while reading for a doctoral degree in finance, he resumed classes at the Malta Society of Arts in 2007. He also followed specialised courses in human figure drawing and artistic printing techniques. His first solo exhibition was held in 2020, and over time an inclination to interpret urban landscapes emerged.
Camilleri began his artistic journey at the Malta Government School of Art in the late 1990s and following a break of some years while reading for a doctoral degree in finance, he resumed classes at the Malta Society of Arts in 2007. He also followed specialised courses in human figure drawing and artistic printing techniques. His first solo exhibition was held in 2020, and over time an inclination to interpret urban landscapes emerged.
This current exhibition marks his fourth solo show; most of the works are created using acrylics, while some pieces are painted on paper with ink and watercolours.
The artist's new series continues themes from his earlier work, particularly his fascination with urban environments, as demonstrated by the prominent depiction of flyovers. However, this collection also introduces a stronger focus on human presence. The peripheral areas of urban spaces come alive with various characters - some engaged in mundane tasks, others acting as indifferent observers, or retreating to society’s fringes. Rendered in a quasi-caricatural style, these figures exude spontaneity and freshness. Moreover, the interplay of contrasting colours lends the paintings a vivid and pungent effect.
This series of works seeks to highlight the resilience and adaptability of individuals living in urban areas, suggesting that, despite the challenges, there remains a potential for transcendence.
In the artist’s words:
“This collection, which I have been working on since 2023, explores the relationship between urban life and human experience, where individuals are sometimes entrenched in a deep sense of alienation or disconnection. The visual language juxtaposes some real-life locations with the imaginary, at times bordering on the surreal. The imagery conveys a sense of urban grit, decadence, and vulnerability, imbuing the human characters with a sense of outsider status.
The recurring depiction of concrete flyovers and supporting columns serves as a visual metaphor for the cold, impersonal nature of the urban lifestyle and its rigid customs. In several pieces, the atmosphere feels claustrophobic owing to the sense of being trapped within the confines of contemporary life. Thus, the overarching theme of this collection is how the relentless mundane ‘rat race’ can alienate and dehumanise us”.
Urban Dreamscapes is being held at the Wignacourt Museum, Parish Square, College Street, Rabat, and remains open up to Saturday 25 January 2025. The opening hours are Monday - Sunday: 09:30-17:00 (last admittance at 16:15). Further information may be obtained from the artist’s social media profiles.