Highlights of the month
The Cyclone
Author
Antoine Camilleri (Maltese, 1922-2005)
Date
1961
Material
Oil on canvas on board
Size
86 x 109 cm
Location
The Artist – Stage for Change
During the 1960’s, Camilleri composed movement and dynamism in his work. With the use of wild horses, bulls and dancers, Camilleri was able to include very fast paced visual imagery. These representations are depicted in one of Camilleri’s paintings titled “The Cyclone” which is an oil-on-canvas painting that is stuck to panel in an unconventional method. Instead of stretching the canvas around the panel, the canvas is stuck to the panel leaving an underlying wooden frame evident whilst also letting the unevenness and tatty canvas edges visible.
Movement is represented through the use of empty spaces, quick line drawings, chunky washes and splashes of paint. Camilleri’s quick hand movements leave little details hidden for the viewer to find, creating a play on the eyes and contemplation for the mind.
The metaphorical ‘cyclone’ in the painting emphasises action and mobility in a team of horses, whilst the use of gentle blue and grey, create an interesting contrast on the harsh brown canvas. It is almost as if you can hear the horses’ hooves land on a dusty ground and a distant rumble of chaos whilst the moon creates a distant warm light. A painting which you can hear and not just see.