THE LANGUAGE OF COLOUR
Richard Saliba
May 2022
Richard Saliba’s exhibition consisted of paintings that portray Maltese and Gozitan landscapes that meaningfully provide an adequate escape. The ubiquitous church is a compositional element that features in these landscapes whether it is a portrayal of Gozo, Valletta or Bingemma. These scenes are captured with an often balmy atmosphere, resulting in tranquil scenes. The palette is inspired by the different hues that the Maltese countryside has to offer with the bright orange soil bathed in sunlight being a signature of the artist’s oeuvre, and this coral hue in particular being a hallmark of his landscape paintings. Colour is certainly a main protagonist in these paintings, with purples and pinks being incorporated into these landscapes, and bright yellows and greens illuminating the scenes. Valleys are portrayed in his unique style, often with compositions encompassing a high horizon allowing the viewer to really feel immersed in and one with the scene. While Richard Saliba is an artist who also works on figurative and abstract works, the landscape remains his main source of inspiration. Landscape painting is a genre that he excels in. He enjoys revisiting the same scene, surprising his audience with a fresh interpretation.
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https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/colour-structure-composition-and-harmony.955477
