An ongoing exhibition, titled 'Through the Eyes of a Collector,' curated by Charlene Vella, offers a glimpse into the private collection of an art enthusiast, showcasing a diverse range of artworks that span different periods, styles, and mediums.

The exhibition is being held at the Phoenicia's Palm Court Lounge and highlights the collector's appreciation for beauty, historical significance, and artistic innovation.

Its central theme revolves around the collector's personal journey and evolving tastes over several decades. Some of the pieces are works by living artists. Each piece tells a part of a much larger narrative, reflecting different facets of the history of art, but also the collector’s own experiences and passion.

Visitors are invited to explore how personal preferences and cultural contexts have influenced the curation of the collection over time.

Most of the paintings collected were acquired directly from the artists themselves and have a direct history of ownership.

Painting titled 'Sliema lady going to a party' by Kenneth Zammit Tabona

The exhibition largely features modern art that spans much of the 20th century, illustrating the collector’s ongoing engagement with the art world.

The collection includes works by Carmelo Mangion, John Borg Manduca, Francis Xavier Vassallo, Raymond Pitré, Kenneth Zammit Tabona, Alex Dalli, Mary de Prio, and Tonio Mallia, among others.

On the other hand, among the internationals artists there are paintings by Emmanuel Levy, Peter Quinn, Lucille Cranwell, Edward Read, Sybella Stiles, Vladimir Velechko and Tristram Ellis.

It also includes works from Joël Circhanski-Deleuze, a French artist who lives and works in Malta. He graduated from the School of Interior Design & Architecture in Bordeaux and later moved to Florida, America, in 1990. He has a permanent exhibition at Galerie des Remparts in Bordeaux, Gironde, and is due to be holding a debut solo exhibition in Malta.

Painting by Francis Xavier Vassallo titled 'Wartime Parade at King's Gate Valletta'

Artwork includes paintings of the Second World War, as seen through Maltese eyes. This includes vivid paintings of submarines, a raid taking place in Siġġiewi on Christmas Eve in 1942, a wartime parade at King’s Gate in Valletta, and scenes of Sliema Ferries and Għar id-Dud (Chalet) back in the day.

It also features paintings by female artists, including an unknown woman documented as G. Castaldi. She is rumoured to have been active in the 1920s and 1930s and was a student of Edward Caruana Dingli.

As often happened with females active in the early 20th century, their art was forgotten and any information about this artist would be welcomed by the curator.

The exhibition will be open to the public at the Phoenicia throughout the month of July.