Christopher Saliba

Christopher Saliba is a Maltese artist whose listed address is Villa San Blas in Nadur, a hilltop village on the north east side of Gozo. His website is built around colour and paint, and its menus lead visitors through abstracts, photography and several chapters of figurative work, as well as a store and a blog.

For a UK traveller, the appeal is simple. Gozo is the quieter, greener sister of Malta, and an artist working there offers something that a gallery on the main island cannot: a chance to buy or commission work from someone who lives and paints in the landscape. This page sets out what is on offer and how to start a conversation.

The work: abstracts, figurative painting and photography

The artist's pages are divided by type of work. There is a section of abstracts, a section of photography, and a long figurative strand that is split into four periods: 2009 to 2012, 2013 to 2016, 2017 to 2020 and 2021 onwards. That structure lets a visitor follow how the painting has changed over more than a decade, which is rare for an artist's website and useful if you are trying to decide which period you prefer.

Abstract painting suits buyers who want a strong colour presence on a wall without a literal subject. Figurative work suits those who want people and presence in a room. Photography offers a different route in for anyone who prefers images to paint. Because the site shows work in groups, you can compare styles before you write.

If you would like to see how other painters on the islands present themselves, our directory of painters in Malta lists them, and 2B Gallery is a listed gallery on the main island.

Commissioning a painting

A dedicated page invites visitors to commission a painting, and it is repeated in the menu so it is hard to miss. A commission means the artist makes a piece with you in mind, rather than you choosing from finished work. The site does not publish prices, timescales or sizes, so those are matters to raise directly.

It helps to think about a few things before you enquire: where the piece will hang, how large it can be, the colours already in the room and whether you want an abstract or a figurative approach. A photograph of the wall is often the most useful thing to have to hand. Do not assume that a commission can be completed in time for a holiday departure; ask early.

If you are buying for a property that you own or plan to own on the islands, our Malta relocation guide explains the wider process of settling in, and the about Malta page gives useful background on the islands.

The store and the mailing list

The website includes a store for finished work. As with the rest of the site, details are best confirmed with the artist, since availability changes as pieces are sold. If you are visiting from the UK, ask whether a piece can be shipped or whether it is better to bring it home as hand luggage; that depends on the size and framing.

There is also a mailing list for anyone who wants to hear about future exhibitions. Joining it is a sensible step if you cannot buy now but would like to see new work when it is shown, particularly if you are likely to return to Malta.

Nadur and Gozo for visitors

Nadur sits on a high ridge on the north east of Gozo, with wide views over the countryside and sea. It is a lived in village rather than a resort, and the pace is slower than on Malta. Our Gozo guide covers the island as a whole, including ferries, towns and the main sights.

Gozo suits a few days of unhurried exploring. Many visitors combine a studio visit with a swim or a boat trip, and the Blue Lagoon guide explains the boats to Comino that leave from the island. Our guide to the best beaches in Malta will help you pick somewhere to cool off, and the Malta weather guide shows which months suit outdoor days best.

If you plan to stay overnight, browse hotels in Gozo or compare areas in our where to stay in Malta guide. From the UK, flights to Malta land on the main island, and you then cross to Gozo by sea.

How to start

Tell the artist what you have in mind: a commission, a particular finished work, or simply a wish to be told about the next exhibition. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the artist.