It’s a crisp January morning in Mdina, the sun barely a whisper on the ancient city’s cobblestone streets. The air is thick with the scent of woodsmoke and the distant echo of church bells. It’s the kind of morning that makes you want to huddle indoors, but not for local artist Henry Falzon. He’s up before dawn, camera in hand, capturing the frost-kissed scene that will soon grace the walls of his latest exhibition, ‘Winter Solstice’.

From Camera to Canvas

Falzon, a name synonymous with Maltese art, has always had a unique way of capturing the essence of his homeland. From the vibrant hues of summer to the stark beauty of winter, his work is a testament to the island’s ever-changing face. ‘Winter Solstice’, his latest collection, is no exception. The exhibition, set to open at the Malta School of Art in Valletta next week, is a visual journey through the coldest months of the year.

Falzon’s process is a blend of old and new. He begins by photographing his subjects – the rugged coastline of Dingli Cliffs, the frost-covered fields of Buskett, the quiet streets of Rabat. Then, he translates these images onto canvas, using bold strokes and rich colours to bring the scenes to life. “It’s like painting with a memory,” he says, sipping on a strong coffee in his studio in Birkirkara. “The photograph is just a starting point. The rest is up to my imagination.”

A Season of Contrasts

Winter in Malta is a season of contrasts. It’s the time of year when the island’s dual identity – Mediterranean and European – is most apparent. Falzon’s work reflects this. There are scenes of quiet solitude – a lone fisherman on the rocky shore of Marsaxlokk, a deserted street in the heart of Victoria – but also moments of joy and togetherness. A family bundled up, laughing as they feed the ducks in Grandmaster’s Square. A group of friends huddled around a bonfire on Ghajn Tuffieha beach.

Falzon’s ability to capture these moments, to distil the essence of a place and a time, is what sets his work apart. “Winter is a time of hibernation, of reflection,” he says. “But it’s also a time of renewal, of hope. I wanted to capture that in my paintings.”

A Warm Welcome

The ‘Winter Solstice’ exhibition is more than just a collection of paintings. It’s a celebration of the island’s unique beauty, a reminder that even in the coldest months, there’s warmth to be found. The exhibition will run from January 15th to February 15th, with a special opening event on January 14th. Falzon invites everyone to come, to lose themselves in the scenes, to feel the chill in the air and the warmth on the canvas.

“Art is about more than just looking,” he says, his eyes gleaming with passion. “It’s about feeling, about experiencing. I want people to come to this exhibition and feel something. Anything. As long as they feel.”