Stephen Saliba Maltese

The artist is intrigued by the same sentiment expressed by Joan Miro - to attain the
maximum of intensity with the minimum of means. His large minimalistic abstract
works aim to immediately captivate the viewer in transmitting a sense of curiosity
and intriguing uncertainty about the artist’s inspiration.

Even so, he acknowledges that even the freest expression, which at face value
appears unhindered, has roots originating from concrete life and its experiences.
This belief is a reflection of his scientific background, seeped in biology and
chemistry, disciplines in which apparently abstract patterns and conglomerations
build life or are conducive to establishing it.

His works are in fact the result of inspiration combined with passion, impulsivity and
instinctive creation of the moment. One often finds references to Victor Pasmore’s
compositional style that in some instances is loose and gestural, while in others
there is a quest for structure and geometry. Instead of paper or canvas the paintings
are executed on a particular textured industrial material not usually intended for art
but which lends itself beautifully to the style characteristic of the artist. The colour
palette is intentionally limited with each painting rarely having more than three
colours as he strives to achieve artistic freedom through simplicity.

Besides painting, Stephen also works with various other art forms especially
ceramics and installations within the natural environment.

2001: Trees an Insight (solo) - Manoel National Theatre, Malta
2006: Scientists in Art (collective) - St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity , Malta
2011: Red Sinews - Painting Installation (solo) - Maltese Embassy, , Brussels
2011: Art Perspectives International Annual Expo (collective), Brussels
2016: Form and Fire. Malta Raku Association , Chamber of Commerce, Malta.
2021: ‘The Passage of Time’ Installation sculpture – Public Art , Pembroke
2022: A Midsummer’s Red Dream – Boco Boutique Hotel
2022: But I see Beauty (collective) – San Anton Palace
2023: ‘Sculptura’ (collective) –San Anton Palace
2023 –Animus Liber – Art by the Seaside Gallery – Senglea