The artist Etienne Farrell is having a prolific start to the new year, presenting two unique exhibitions that delve into themes of culture, superstition, and abstraction.

Her first exhibition, 'Għajnejk f’Għajni', is currently open at the Hilton Hotel in St Julian’s and runs until 15th March. The collection celebrates Maltese traditions and superstitions through statement costume jewelry, featuring amulets and symbols rooted in Maltese culture. The pieces explore iconic imagery such as the Cornicello (a 'little horn' amulet associated with protection, fertility, and virility) and the Eye of the Luzzu — believed to ward off evil spirits and storms in the fishing community. The exhibition’s name, 'Għajnejk f’Għajni', while it may sound like a curse, is actually a phrase traditionally used to reject supernatural harm.

Her second exhibition, 'As Abstract as Truth', opens on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, at Rudy Buhler’s The Colour Project Contemporary & Modern Art Gallery in Marsascala. This exhibit will run alongside 'Għajnejk f’Għajni', also ending on March 15th. Here, the artist ventures into abstract art, displaying works created over the past two years.

One curious piece in this collection is the much-talked-about '2024'. Sold as a blank canvas last year, the painting intrigued buyers with the promise that it would evolve into a completed work based on Etienne Farrell’s interpretation of 2024. Now finished, the painting will make its debut in this exhibition, offering viewers a window into the artist's creative process and how she captured the essence of the year.

Intrigued by this concept?