Azure & Ochre is the apt title for artist, C.S. Lawrence’s forthcoming exhibition. In her art studio in Cospicua these two colours jostle amongst other brightly painted landscapes, Maltese seascapes and portraits. Singled out, azure and ochre hues well describe the Maltese stone, sea and sky. For Caroline they represent “sunlight and water, two things that I need to have around me – the sea and living in a sunny climate. They are also the colours of Malta that lead on to purple and greens and a whole palette of exciting colours.”

The titles of some of the work in themselves conjure up images of the grandest of our architectural heritage and Mediterranean sea: Azure Water at Senglea Point, Kalkara Creek, Birgu Morning Mist, Grand Harbour, Red Sail at Birgu, Kalkara Lights, Serena Street in Senglea, Senglea by Day and Senglea by Night; though the paintings of these scenes speak clearly and colourfully for themselves. The artist’s rendition of reflections of water – rippling or still – is executed brilliantly. The soft Maltese stone happily admits a various vibrancy of a vivid palette.

“These are some of my favourite places, I love to visit and sketch there in the early morning or at other quiet times and enjoy the peace of the place, working undisturbed,” Caroline said.

Caroline said that she”is aware that this means that there are few or no figures in her artworks. Although, by implication, boats house sailors and travellers, as buildings do homes and humans. It is the times between one and three o’clock in the afternoon when inhabitants are at rest, in Malta’s prettiest cities that offer the artist this peace and quiet.”

” Getting away from noise and clutter is terribly important to me. Like this I can absorb my environment and what’s in the stones. It all really speaks to me and I think that my paintings speak back to the viewer of this tranquility that we all look for.”

While saying this Caroline looks around at all the work, “I always think that paintings should be like a window – where you can pause and through which you feel you are going elsewhere.”

An active and avid artist, Caroline repeatedly sketches quaint streets, sea-views and especially historical buildings for which she has a passion.

“There’s something intriguing and organic about them; they’re full of more things to discover like a little niche or carved feature. I do hope that we always work hard to preserve this part of our culture.”

In these works of art exhibited at the Auberge de France, Hilda Tabone Street, Birgu, from the 2nd to the 30th October, the artist said that she has done more than simply record these eloquent sights – besides capturing their grandeur, she has also imbued them with a careful and colourful brush and “a typical Caroline Lawrence panache.”

C.S. Lawrence’s forthcoming annual solo art exhibition will highlight the artist’s two consistent interests: the unparalleled history of the Three Cities and also, supporting charities through her art. The President of Malta, Dr. George Abela, will inaugurate the exhibition, ‘Azure & Ochre,’ on October the 1st, 2011 at the Auberge de France, Birgu. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to The Malta Community Chest Fund as part of L’Istrina 2011.

These works of art will continue to be exhibited throughout the month of October at the Auberge de France and also will be displayed during the national annual Birgufest 2011, the following weekend where many eager visitors are expected to attend.

For more information please contact cslawrence@melita.com Tel 99457399 website: www.cslawrence.com

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