Christopher Saliba
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Discovering Maltese artists and collecting art in Malta.

5/16/2025

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Art collectors in Malta are increasing in number. This can be confirmed by the growing number of galleries I’m familiar with, as well as by fellow artists who have observed a steady rise in sales over the years. It is a fact that art collectors often get to know one another and tend to take an interest in what others are collecting. They inform themselves and develop a more refined understanding of the value of artworks available on the market.
From experience, I can also say that art collectors are often repeat buyers. They tend to build ongoing relationships with their favourite artists, reconnecting from time to time to make new acquisitions.
It’s necessary to identify the different types of art one can collect. For those who are new and eager to become serious art collectors, there are two primary categories of artists to consider: emerging and blue-chip artists. Emerging artists are those who are just beginning their careers and may not yet have an established reputation. They offer a sense of excitement and potential for growth. Blue-chip artists, on the other hand, are well-established names in the art scenario whose works are sought after. When building a collection, it’s important to consider both categories, as each offers unique benefits.
Having been active in the local art scene for more than twenty years, I can confidently say that being persistent and consistently visible in my vocation as an artist has increased interest from both existing and emerging art collectors over time. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a number of local artists fade from the public eye—sometimes due to personal reasons, other times because they lacked the skills to present themselves effectively within the local art scene.
Today, one of my greatest sources of pride—as both an artist and an art collector—is being invited to view the personal collections of collectors I’ve come to know and befriend over the years. It’s always a joy to see my paintings hanging alongside works by Esprit Barthet, Emvin Cremona, George Fenech, or Pawl Carbonaro.


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The colour that spoke.

5/12/2025

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When I was a university student in 1996, I lived in Valletta. At that time, Caravaggio’s St. Jerome was permanently displayed in one of the aisles of St. John’s Co-Cathedral. I often visited the cathedral and would spend long moments simply sitting nearby, silently observing the painting. It captivated me—not just because it bore the name of a great master, but because of the intense power and drama it radiated. I used to wonder why I was so drawn to it, so deeply absorbed by its presence. With time—and the distance of decades—I’ve come to realise how profoundly this single work influenced me, both emotionally and artistically. It left a lasting mark on my visual sensibility and helped shape the direction of my artistic orientation.

What stood out most to me was the red garment in the painting. That singular element seemed to elevate the entire composition. It didn’t just add contrast—it heightened the drama, intensified the emotional weight, and brought a kind of sacred vitality to the scene. Looking back, I now understand that my enduring fascination with the colour red can be traced back to those quiet hours spent in the cathedral. It was there, in the presence of that powerful work, that I first became aware of how a single colour could evoke such emotion, such tension, such reverence. It was the beginning of a lifelong appreciation—both as an observer and as a creator—for the expressive power of red.
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Latest commissioned work

5/7/2025

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​My latest work is a large painting commissioned by Malta International Airport (MIA). It will be permanently displayed in Lounge 2, the 'Ruby Lounge,' at the VIP Terminal. Special thanks to Allura for trusting me with this project.
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Live painting

4/11/2025

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Last Saturday evening  was a really enjoyable one. The weather was perfect and this allowed for the perfect setting for my outdoor painting in one of the picturesque alleys of San Lawrenz. It was a great opportunity to get to know numerous visitors who came along. My thanks go to the Ministry for Gozo and San Lawrenz Local Council for making cultural events in Gozo, like 'Sqaqien', possible. Work on painting is still in progress and will be uploaded soon. Photo credits: Ministry for Gozo.
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Latest updates

4/1/2025

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It has been a while since I last published a post on my blog. I have lately decided to revamp this space and update my followers with the latest news about my art projects. After my recent successful exhibition at Art..e Gallery in Victoria I have been busy with a number of commissioned works, one of which will end up in a prominent place in Malta. Details about this will follow soon. April will be a busy month. This week I have been invited to participate in 'Sqaqien', a fusion of culture and cuisine in the alleys of San Lawrenz. This event will be held on Saturday evening  (April 5). I highly recommend this event following last year's successful debute.    I will be showcasing my work  and working live on a painting in one of these alleys. You are most welcome to visit, see me at work and observe a collection of works on display :-) Last but not least, throughout this month,  a collection of abstract glazed earthenware will be on show at the Japan Expo, through invitation by the Malta Crafts Foundation. 
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From the National Collection

7/19/2020

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Aħmar formed part of a series of abstract works created by Christopher Saliba for the 2006 exhibition Of Time and Timelessness. These works were considered by the artist as a personal interpretation of the way memories and emotions are evoked by light, space, texture and colour.

“I paint energy and essence and my work is about time. I interpret memory by fragmenting my canvas into geometrical shapes, each of which is treated as an individual experience or memory in time.” Saliba lays down layers of colour on his canvasses representing the passage of time. From a distance, broad bands of colour, create a strong statement. Close up, the viewer finds textures and markings that continue to engage the eye. The artist rubbed and scraped away layers of paint to reveal different surfaces on the canvas, which may be compared to the way objects found in nature are worn away by the elements and the passage of time.

His paintings may be viewed as being either structurally built, or intuitive, spontaneous and impulsive. “There is the idea of accident,” explained Saliba, “the balance between the order and unpredicted facts.” Accidental and unintended happenings throughout the working process reflect the fact that the passage of memory is not simply chronological, linear or rational. The work narrates nothing but its own story.

Whilst the works differ from Rothko in painterly technique, Rothko’s idea that “a painting is not about an experience. It is an experience” is apt when viewing the work Aħmar by Saliba.
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The text above is an extract from www.kreattivita.org.

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    Hi! Thank you for visiting my  blog where you find updates related to my projects and new artworks. 

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