Arti Lokali – Oil Paintings by students of Debbie Caruana Dingli
Siggiewi Local Council is celebrating local artists with a short exhibition to coincide with the village festa week (22 – 27 June). The exhibition is a collection of works by 21 individuals from different walks of life whose common interest is art and expression. The works on display are works of students of Debbie Caruana Dingli, a Siggiewi resident who has been teaching water-colour and oil painting since 2002.
A quick look at the works clearly reveals the students’ strong individual styles. This is a direct reference to Debbie’s method of teaching. She tutors her students in technique and expression encouraging them to move towards a personal style.
It is however in the choices of subject matter that her influence is most evident. Life in Siggiewi obviously features strongly especially in the choice of sitters for portrait sessions such as the paintings of Ta’ Bonnici, Guzeppi, Il-Festa and the strong painting of Salvu the Fisherman.
Her attachment and love for press photography and topical subjects can be seen in the portraits of Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday, the subject of illegal immigrants and the controversial Donald Trump so aptly captured in this collective. The interpretation of mundane subject matters into charged pieces makes these works so interesting to view.
An exhibition such as this gives established and budding artists a platform to display their work to the public. This can be a daunting prospect for those students who are new to the concept of exhibiting and need encouragement to take the plunge. This exhibition gives not only the artists’ friends and relatives but also the public a chance to see the students’ progress. A percentage of sales of the artworks goes towards Dar tal-Providenza.
The Siggiewi Local Council plays an important role in encouraging such initiatives by providing a great space for painting classes every Friday from October to June.
More Info
The exhibition runs from Thurs 22 – Sun 27 June at Siggiewi Local Council and is open evenings at the following times:
Thursday: 7pm – 10pm
Friday: 7pm – 10pm
Saturday: 6pm – 11 pm
Sunday: 6pm – 11pm
Contact Debbie Caruana Dingli. Find out more about her family history in art in this post about Edward Caruana Dingli, one of Malta’s foremost mid-20th century artists.