Johanna Barthet, a prominent Maltese artist renowned for her unique approach to contemporary portraiture, presents her latest collection, “Now You See Me.” This exhibition is a four-year-long journey that delves into the profound shifts in the artist’s life and artistic expression.
The Timeline of Transformation
“Now You See Me” encapsulates a timeline of Johanna Barthet’s life, spanning four tumultuous years that significantly impacted her artistry. In 2019, Barthet held her first solo exhibition, a significant milestone in her career. However, shortly after, she began experiencing episodes of anxiety and panic attacks, which had a profound effect on her creative process.
The Birth of Spontaneity
To cope with her inner turmoil, Johanna Barthet turned to art as a source of solace. She embarked on a spontaneous creative journey, producing an array of drawings on wooden blocks, each measuring 15x15cm. These drawings became a canvas for her emotions, where she explored different faces, personalities, and states of mind.
From Monochrome to Vibrance
In the months that followed, Barthet breathed life into her sketches with vibrant colours, resulting in the captivating works on display today. Each small square is a reflection of various personalities, emotions, and experiences. These creations were not only a form of artistic expression but also a source of connection during the challenging COVID-19 lockdowns when physical separation was the norm. Like many others, Barthet felt the impact on her mental health, and her art became a lifeline.
A Period of Silence and Self-Discovery
After this surreal period of creation and healing, there was a lull in Barthet’s work, mirroring her inner world. It was a time of reflection and self-discovery. Fast forward to the summer of 2023, and something stirred within her, propelling her to revisit her earlier works with renewed passion and intensity.
Emerging from Darkness
“Now You See Me” is a testament to the phases of darkness and isolation that Johanna Barthet experienced, followed by a period of self-discovery and healing. Her artworks beckon viewers to engage with them, urging, “See me, make of us what you will. Stare at us while we stare back at you. Now you see me.”
Exhibition Details
The “Now You See Me” exhibition is currently on display at Studio 87, Liesse Hill, Valletta. You can visit it from Tuesday to Friday between 16:00 and 19:00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 13:00. The exhibition will remain open until November 10th, 2023. The collection consists of 190 distinct faces depicted in oil on wooden blocks, each measuring 15x15cm.
A Glimpse into the Artist’s Journey
Johanna Barthet’s journey is a testament to the power of art as a form of self-expression, healing, and transformation. Her captivating portraits invite viewers to look beyond the surface, delve into the emotions they evoke, and explore the unique narratives that each face tells. “Now You See Me” is an artistic journey that mirrors the human experience, one of turbulence, introspection, and emergence into a new, vibrant reality. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this remarkable exhibition and witness the evolution of a talented artist.
Speaking to WHAM, Johanna Barthet said that “something propelled me to find the strength to revisit the works I did during COVID, expressing a newfound passion and intensity in their execution. Now, you see me through phases of darkness and loneliness and then explode again after a period of self-discovery and healing. The works want you to look at them, “See me, make of us what you will. Stare at us while we stare back at you.”
