APS Bank art exhibition 2013

Abstract

This year’s exhibition brings to a close a three-year programme which brought together twelve Maltese artists. From time to time, individual artists approach APS Bank for financial support to present their works or to attend conferences abroad. While such personal requests continue to be considered, on their own merits, it was thought to be perhaps more intellectually stimulating and equitable, from the perspective of providing opportunities especially to upcoming artists, if collective exhibitions, inspired by specific themes, were to be held. Such a form of support can present works that focus on particular themes and unite the talents of a wide array of artists. This was the insight that led to this three-year initiative, which was repeated contemporaneously in photography. In fact, in parallel with the Art Exhibition, there are three photographic competitions – with themes ‘Green’, ‘Movement’ and ‘Contrast’ – which produced an annual output of forty works exhibited in the Spring in Malta and in the Summer in Gozo and twelve of which were reproduced in the annual Bank’s calendar. Such occasions provide APS Bank with the possibility of collaboration with a variety of organisations and individuals. While the Bank provides the financial resources and, at times the logistics, for such activities to be held in various cultural sectors spanning Heritage, Music, Literature and the Visual Arts, many others are given space where they can demonstrate their innate talents effectively and professionally. For APS Bank, this collaboration has an intrinsic value of its own. It emanates from the underlying philosophy that inspires and guides the Bank’s spectrum of operations, both in the financial sector and in all other areas in which it involves itself. This year’s exhibition is once again enhanced by a souvenir programme that includes two articles. One, penned by Dr Louis Lagana, curator, reflects on Archetypal Collectivism in Figurative Art and relates this phenomenon to the works represented in this collection. Ms Romina Delia writes about the theme of ‘Identity, Community and the Human Body’, and illustrates the current trends in art with examples from the international and local contexts. In this way, the programme will achieve a dual objective: describe the works exhibited and the artists’ inspirations that gave them birth; and locate such creations in a wider, human context referring to the relationship between society and the artist. In a small way, we aim to contribute to the formation of viewers who enjoy being challenged by artists and ‘thought-provoking’ works of art in addition to viewing paintings, ceramics or sculptures as simply the product of accomplished craftsmen.