RiflessiPaintings by Josette Fenech

Paintings by Josette Fenech

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Riflessi

Abstract 1 | Acrylic on canvas | 120cm x 80cm

Artist�s StatementI consider myself a woman with a sense of calmness and tranquility who appreciates the beauty of life and transforms negative thinking into positive energy.

My interest in art began around twelve years ago and for a number of years I practiced oil and watercolour painting. The first works were of a realistic nature with subjects like sunset, flowers and seascapes. Art was more of a past time that enabled me to escape from everyday stress. During the past few years I started to dedicate more time to painting. This resulted in more explorations and research spending many hours in my studio painting whatever my muse directed me to paint. Whether producing abstracts on large canvases, sea scapes, flowers or even landscapes, art became more important in my life. I have always loved colour and its beautifying potential. What fascinates me is to transform colour into form and create an idea or concept into a physical entity. My main aim is to reach the viewers' eyes, heart and mind. In

recent years I started to use acrylics as it is a medium that dries fast, allowing me to move through ideas quickly and is excellent for working on abstracts. 

To me, art has become an important aspect of my life. Making art is a magical experience and the work that I create is a part of my life. It is something I truly cherish and enjoy doing and feel that I cannot live without. It is the positivity of life, the colours that brighten a dull day and indeed the beauty of life. Painting gives me great fulfilment and a feeling of inner peace and tranquillity. I have grown to know myself. Many of my emotions are expressed in my paintings and are a celebration of life's joys, unexpected turns, mysteries, choices and destiny. I prefer to consider myself an abstract expressionist but also enjoy painting landscapes. In my work I thrive mostly when I am taking a constructive idea, event, feeling, or moment and begin translating these emotional interpretations in order to mould them into form. At the end, these thoughts become a reality on the canvas. I live in Mellieha, I am married and have two children, Natasha and Shaun. I thank my family for all the support they give me.

Josette Fenech

Abstract 3 | Acrylic on canvas | 60cm x 90cmAbstract 2 | Acrylic on canvas | 60cm x 90cm

RiflessiJosette Fenech is an emerging artist in Malta's art scene. In the past years she has shown a keen interest in art especially in the abstract form. She attended various art events both locally and abroad, participated in painting classes and also exhibited her work in collectives.

Her first participation at a collective art exhibition organised by the Community of Maltese Artists was in Gozo in 2012. She participated in events such as Mellieha Nights in 2012 and 2013 and events in aid of charity. In this first personal art show Josette Fenech presents a collection of paintings executed during these last few years. The exhibition includes landscapes and seascapes, figures and abstract works.

Abstract PaintingsArtists today still feel comfortable to express themselves in an abstract manner and some derive their inspiration from the medium they work with. The artists' creative force which leads to abstraction is the pure preoccupation with the invention and arrangement of space, form and colour.

Josette Fenech works quietly in her art studio in Mellieha. Her abstracts express more her emotional state rather than the mere experimentation with colour and form. She uses colour in a spontaneous and unconscious way without any premeditation how to put colour on canvas. Josette chooses colour according to the mood at the very moment of her creative act.

The artist stated: "I feel that I can express myself better in abstracts as I can paint from deep in my soul to express my sentiments on canvas. I love being spontaneous and free to work on canvas until I find the final results very satisfying.  Some of these abstracts sometimes have a visible landscape but in my latest works there is more an element of surprise, and the freedom of expression that is truly captivating. The range of colours which I use relate to an escape from reality."

Josette admires mostly the abstract landscapes of German artist, Emil Nolde (1867-1956) and the abstract works of Gerhard Richter (1932- ) a top-selling living artist also from Germany. In fact some of the Josette's works are very reminiscent to those of Richter. One could sense the typical technique used by Richter, that of the “squeege” effect by applying layers of colour on top of each other and by erasing some of the pigments. Some good examples of this style are Abstract No. 1, Abstract No. 2 and Abstract No. 3.

If we look at Josette Fenech's early abstract paintings we see more emphasis on the form rather than the colour. In these works the artist used small pieces of highly textured canvas, glued on the panel. Sometimes these sack fibre pieces are left raw without any paint applied. Some of these works remind me of the Italian born abstract expressionist artist Alberto Burri (1915-1995) and his Arte Povera.

This “poetic exploration of matter” by Burri was his main concern with experimentation with different materials and processes, with composition and with form, rather than with representation or reference. In a way even Josette Fenech had this conceptual thinking when producing these works. The best examples in this series are Untitled Abstract 14 and 15. In other similar works Untitled 11, 12 and 13 the artist used sack fibre with other mixed media.

Abstract 14 | Acrylic on canvas | 100cm x 100cm Abstract 15 | Acrylic on canvas | 100cm x 100cm

Abstract 11 | Acrylic on canvas | 80cm x 80cm Abstract 12 | Acrylic on canvas | 80cm x 80cm

Abstract 13 | Acrylic on canvas | 80cm x 80cm

The concept of 'reflection' is found in one of her best abstracts in this series. This painting is also untitled - Untitled Abstract 16 and the composition of this work is dominated by the use of red pigment and gold leaf.

When I first looked at this painting, I recognised the early compendium of techniques very popular in abstraction, take for example, repetition and mirroring. It is the emphasis on the reflection of the monoliths or tall buildings which makes this painting so intriguing. Parallelism is also another important dimension which contributes to the aesthetic appeal and value of the work.

Abstract 16 | Acrylic on canvas | 120cm x 80cm

One must say that some of Josette's abstract paintings are inspired directly by nature. For example in her work entitled Eruption we see the effects of the aftermath of an explosion from the eruption of a volcano. The poem which explains this visual scene conveys this sensation.

Eruption

I saw an island, flames lapping on the shore.I saw the flickering fan of flames, and heard its mighty roar. I saw a corona, raised above the sea,a rising ball of rolling flame is actually what I see.The sharp, hot rocks of the brand new shore and all that boiling stone, an eruption seen by anyone, who sees? I'm not alone.

R. Parry15th November 2012

The artist captured the bright vibrant yellow and red lava contrasting with the purple and blue lights in the sky. Two other works which deal with the concept of an explosion are The Blast and Untitled Abstract No 7. Both works are in a way related to something bursting from within.

One can interpret the works to the actual explosion of a volcano or a cosmic explosion of matter or it could be a metaphorical 'explosion' of 'feelings' or 'sensations' the artists felt while working on canvas. In this case it is the repressed anger which surfaces to consciousness and this is what actually the artist wants to bring to our attention what actually is happening to our psyche.

Eruption | Acrylic on canvas | 80cm x 80cm

Abstract 7 | Acrylic on canvas | 80cm x 60cm

The Blast | Acrylic on canvas | 120cm x 100cm

In a large canvas called Untitled Abstract 8, the artist experimented with vertical bands of multicoloured brushstrokes. White plays a very important role in this composition and one can see the 'light' effect of shifting elements that appear in degrees and disappear according to the spatial complex and external variants of colour.

Abstract 8 | Acrylic on canvas | 120cm x 80cm

The Female Figure and FlowersIn this collection Josette Fenech is also presenting two figurative works. In these works the artist is not interested in producing the exact anatomical details or accurate resemblance to a particular person but rather the symbolic aspect which the figure represents.

For example in her quasi monochromatic work entitled Still Waiting, we see a seated woman with a hat shown from the back. The composition of the painting is well balanced with vertical stripes of wood which could be a part of a door or other material like concrete, thus to create a tension of expectation. This work is in response to the poem by R. Parry.

Still WaitingI remember sitting as a child, and staring out to see, If the man I truly loved would come home and just see me?And now I'm sitting here alone, all dressed and waiting now,To see if the man that I love now will also let me down.

What is it about myself, why am I so flawed?That every man I ever love makes me feel ignored.When I think of all those times I've tried to be so good and rightAnd all I've got is a sideways glance and harsh words through the night.

Well this time I am fighting back and if he doesn't show,I'll go right on and enjoy myself, and really let him know;That this life isn't just for him it is for me as well,And if he doesn't like my tone then he can go to hell!

R. Parry1st January 2013

Mysterious Woman is another work which suggests the same element of expectation and also a sense of anonymity, where we cannot identify the person but we can only grasp the idea of a solitary situation. Again the woman is seen from behind and only the torso and part of her lower back could be seen. The juxtaposition of the figure with the vertical lines which could be the pleats of a curtain creates a dynamic contrast in the composition. With the arms behind her back the woman clasps the palms of her hands symbolically suggesting unity or many times farewell or a last good-bye.

Still Waiting | Acrylic on canvas | 60cm x 45cm

The poetic visual expression of Josette Fenech's work could also be seen in a series of paintings depicting flowers and landscapes. In her Poppies for their Past the artist shows a poppy field below Mellieha church. The scourging sun leaves its effect and the scene looks hazy created by the intense heat of the summer days.

The poppies with their vibrant scarlet hues are intense and their long stems dancing in the breeze are enchanted with their blossoms swaying gently on the dark green grassy fields. Another similar composition with poppies is Fields of Harmony. This time the background is more dramatic because the sun is hidden by the clouds and only a few rays of light penetrate the atmosphere.

Poppies are Josette's favourite flowers to paint and perhaps they represent the artist's passion in whatever she creates. Another version of poppies in the fields is the painting called Summer Breeze. Here the artist focused more directly on the flower itself rather than the background. I argue that for the artist 'flowers' are used as metaphorical subject matter to address issues and emotions associated with the female sexuality.

Poppies for their Past | Acrylic on canvas | 50cm x 60cm

For a long-standing tradition, flowers were used as symbols of female genitalia. Historically, the goddess of love and seduction (Greek: Aphrodite, Roman: Venus) was symbolically represented with several flowering plants, which included the opium poppy. Flower symbolism related to sexuality was used by many female modern artists including Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Ana Mendieta, Hannah Wilke, Judy Chicago, Miriam Schapiro and photographer Tina Modotti.

Fields of Harmony | Acrylic on canvas | 80cm x 60cm

The connection with sexuality and the personal 'self' is strongly felt in the depiction of a singular flower in the painting entitled Blossom. The artist unconsciously used the flower image as a statement of self assurance and the archetypal female.

References to flowers, petals, buds, blooms, and blossoms are still very prevalent in present-day discourse on female sexuality.

Summer Breeze | Oil on canvas | 80cm x 60cm

SeascapesThroughout their career, many local artists in some way or another attempted to paint seascapes. Malta is a unique place where one can make studies of different sea conditions during the seasons.

As we know Malta's major resource is 'the sea' and it has many cultural traditions and is considered as an important source of life to all. The sea stimulates the imagination of many artists and it is also expressed in poetry and mythology.

Stormy seas represent emotional turmoil, whereas calm seas evoke a sense of peace of mind and serenity. In this exhibition Josette Fenech is presenting five paintings related to the sea. In her first work entitled The Storm, the artist shows us a typical sea storm with huge waves beating on the rocks and the water spray turning into white foam. This scene represents the tremendous inner strength, as well as the emotional and spiritual balance of the artist's psyche.

The Storm

Wild wind rocks the dead of night,A thousand spores of spray reveal the fury;Illuminated by fizzing foam and sheer contrast. Vengeful seas rise and fall,Coloured by tempest and angry sky.Yellowing moon sneaks and hides avoiding water's full fury.Darkened and embittered, the ceaseless pounding grows apace;Only the fruition of its cumulative anger, visible to the worried eye.Play out thy fury oh angered servant!Make water boil and rock subside.Spend that anger built inside.

R. Parry8th August 2012The Storm | Acrylic on canvas | 60cm x 80cm

Perhaps the most appealing of all seascapes is the one entitled Blue Waters. In this painting the artist successfully captured the movement of the sky and the sea at dusk.

The power of the storm which is reflected in the agitated sky and the tidal waves on the seashore seem like a dialogue between these two distinct elements of nature.

In a tactile manner Josette manipulated well the acrylic pigments on the palette to produce astounding thick white clouds on the deep dark blue layers for the sky and the pale blue strokes of the sea with the splash texture for the waves.

Blue Waters | Acrylic on canvas | 60cm x 80cm

The composition with Pebbles has been attempted by many other artists.

Josette's version is perhaps different in the way she used colour in the whole composition. The pebbles are coloured with different hues ranging from dark and light blue, to dark and light red, and to grey and white.

The blurred sandy background with smal ler pebbles produce a good photographic effect to provide a clearer definition (resolution) of the pebbles.

This exhibition is of immense encouragement to Josette Fenech to continue to explore the unlimited forms and visual vocabulary provided by nature. I am sure that she will further develop her creativity by painting with passion and to achieve excellence in her artistic endeavour. Josette invites us all to join her on her artistic journey and appreciate the aesthetic values of her artworks.

Dr. Louis Lagana

Pebbles | Acrylic on canvas | 60cm x 80cm

Golden Seas | Acrylic on canvas | 120cm x 80cm

Fusion | Acrylic on canvas | 100cm x 70cm

Abstract 4 | Acrylic on canvas | 90cm x 70cm

Artists� CommentsFind your path... follow the light... let yourself free... and make  your spirit flow. Josette’s Artworks are full of colours... movement... nature... but mostly passion.

Carmel Bonello 6th September 2013

I was introduced to her by Artist Joseph Casapinta last May. Since then, I visited her studio and was impressed by her works and the unbelievable schedule she has to meet daily. Admittedly my first impression was her outstanding Abstract paintings. But she also showed me her earlier works when she started as a student, at Carmel Bonello's studio in Mellieha. We met last on a recent visit at her comfort zone... her studio, and I couldn't help but admire her incredible progress in the abstract idiom. However, she still keeps painting her favourite landscapes, still lifes, flowers, and throughout her works emanate a serenity so hard to find these days. Her upcoming first solo exhibition is keeping her more busy than ever, but I'm sure that the progress in her paintings that surprised me, will be shared by the public in general.

Ray Pitre’26 September 2013

I have known Josette for a number of years and since then I have seen her develop in a style she is now presenting in this collection of paintings, made up of Abstract and Figurative Art. Through her developing process, she has created a very good composition in colour and light in every painting, reflecting her tranquil and assertiveness in her character. Each painting lures the beholder to a wonderful experience by an artist who paints with passion.

Joseph Casapinta1st October 2013

Copyright 2013 Josette FenechAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any storage and retrieval system, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-99957-0-607-4Printed: A&M PrintingProject: Riflessi Paintings by Josette FenechDesign: Joseph Casapinta

Contributors:Dr. Louis LaganaMr. Joseph CasapintaMs. Natasha FenechMr. Robert Parry

Sponsors:Aspen LtdBank of Valletta LtdCasapinta DesignE’CasaEngel&Volkers Sarah GrechEngel&Volkers YaghtingFrank SaltIntervisions J.Micallef Building & ConstructionTa’ Mena WinesThe Foto Grafer

Dr. Louis Laganà is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malta.

He lectures in Fine Art and Art History at the Junior College. He also lectures on Art, Culture and

Tourism with the Institute For Tourism, Travel and Culture and History of Image Making at the

Department of Digital Arts at the University of Malta.

Dr. Laganà is also a practicing artist, art historian and critic and

specializes in Modern and Contemporary Art.

His papers were delivered in many conferences abroad and published

in learned journals and newspapers.