Willie Apap

Revelations

INSTALLATION VIEWS
EXHIBITED WORKS
EXHIBITION INFO

EXHIBITED WORKS

The Descent from the Cross Oil on canvas 162x120cm Signed and dated, 1964 Private Collection, Malta

Brazilian Mother and Child Pen and ink on paper 38.5x28.5cm (w/o frame) Signed and dated, 1964 Private Collection, Malta

Female Figure Oil on canvas 40x30cm Unsigned, undated, 1960s Private Collection, Malta

The Clown and Ballerinas Oil on board 59x39cm Signed and dated, 1965 Private Collection, Malta

Seated Lady in Red Vest Oil on canvas 69.5x49.5cm Signed and dated, 1966 Private Collection, Malta

Seated Female and Unfinished Canvas Oil on canvas 78.5x68.5cm Signed, dated, 1969 Private Collection, Malta

Female Figure with Bottles Oil on canvas 74x58cm Signed and dated, 1966 Private Collection, Malta

Ballerine al riposo Oil on canvas 89x59cm Signed and dated, 1968 Private Collection, Malta

La Drogata Oil on canvas 90x80cm Unsigned, undated, 1960s Private Collection, Malta

Female figure with flowers and artist Oil on canvas 70x99.5cm Unsigned, undated, 1960’s Private Collection, Malta

Portrait of a Lady Oil on canvas 88.5x59.5cm Signed and dated, 1968 Private Collection, Malta

Ballerina with Still Life Oil on canvas 98.5x49cm Signed, undated, 1960s Private collection, Malta

Willie Apap Self Portrait - maltese artist rome

Self Portrait Oil on canvas 47x34.5cm Signed and dated, 1967 Private Collection, Malta

The Musing Ballerina Oil on canvas 54x34.5cm Signed and dated, 1965 Private Collection, Malta

Brazilian Figure Pen and ink on paper 48x33cm (w/o frame) Signed, dated 1964 Private collection, Malta

Female figure reading a book Oil on canvas 69x60cm Signed and dated, 1945 Private Collection, Malta

St Francis of Assisi Pen and ink on paper 97.5x31.5cm (w/o frame) Signed and dated, 1965 Private Collection, Malta

Female Undressing by the Window Oil on canvas 99x63.5cm Signed and dated, 1964 Private Collection, Malta

The evolution of Willie Apap’s (1918—1970) choice of subject matter, form and colour palette reveals a certain kind of purification, a move from the exterior to the interior, from the visible realm to that of the inner human condition, and ultimately to the spiritual, that is, to what cannot be seen or touched. But the deeper one goes, so too does the mystery. Apap’s keen interest in the human figure, face and setting, undergoes a similar transformation; a transfiguration of sorts, shrouded in a thick veil of ambiguity, incompleteness and obscurity.

The exhibition sought to trace the moment Apap stopped looking at the physical world and peered inside, beneath the veil of the apparent where truth and mystery fuse as one. The first part of the exhibition was a text-based photographic walkthrough which led you into the depth of Apap’s artistic formation and philosophy, from his early years to his Italian connections and, ultimately, to his mounting concern on the human psyche and spirit. The exhibition continued with a selected thematic display of Apap’s works at the Victor Pasmore Gallery.

Willie Apap: Revelations was organised by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti in collaboration with the Central Bank of Malta and the Victor Pasmore Foundation.