EXHIBITION Re-imagining a Landscape at Marie Gallery5

Interview /Exhibtion / Malta

November - December 2021

MALTA

MARIA GALEA

Re-imagining a Landscape

Interview with Thea Vella

Reconstructed Landscapes raises awareness of our surroundings – memories we have lived with and the spaces that have left a mark along the way. Emerging artist, Thea Vella, based in Malta, has immersed herself in a discovery of how her surroundings connect and disconnect each space through patchwork, using texture, colors, and tones.

Drawing from photographic memory and imagination, she has fragmented and recreated a series of soft, almost floating-like landscapes, which channel a whole new perspective on her surroundings. Throughout the entire process, she has come to realise and appreciate the time she has allowed herself to observe these landscapes, identify the part that resonates with her, making her more at one with her surroundings, which consequently has led to self-growth and understanding.

Thea applied to an open call for proposals at MARIE Gallery5, and has been selected to present this new body of work, which feels relatively new in style and technique to the local art scene. The artist tells us more how this collection came about and why;

What prompted you to work with landscapes? For the past two years I’ve had the time to observe my surroundings in ways different than before. I’ve immersed myself in the inconsistent patchwork I see, and the textures and tones that play part of this

scenery. Ultimately, I am deconstructing and reconstructing the landscape I observe.

Your pieces seem to play around with memory and perception regarding our islands’ landscape. Can you guide us to where you want the viewer to land on?

Through these paintings and collages I want people to reimagine the landscape they live in and be more aware of what surrounds them, possibly even reconstructing their own interpretation of the landscape.

Your current works at the show utilise a simple, grounded colour palette, was there a particular reason for this approach?

I’ve always had an interest in texture and tone especially when it comes to local stone. While discovering these landscapes, I felt very much connected with this tonal palette. As a result, I found that this helped me express and re-create certain textures within the landscape represented.

Through this body of work, Thea invites us to reimagine the landscape we live in, to be more aware of what surrounds us, and construct our own interpretations.

Reconstructed Landscape showcased at MARIE GALLERY5, Mosta from the 21 October to 5 November 2021