Just as the name suggests, ‘Solus’ deals with themes of solitude, translating all the emotions and sensations it brings with it into visual art. While some may make a negative association with the idea of solitude, the exhibition focuses on the tranquil and freeing aspect of it, while creating a sense of hollowness. ‘Solus’ features over 20 paintings, all of which contain stylistic elements and titles that enhance the melancholic mood.

Ann Jenkins’s artistic journey started about 20 years ago, the first step being taking watercolour lessons with renowned local artist Debbie Caruana Dingli, to whom she attributes a lot of credit for her improvement and artistic vision. This was the moment that exposed her to a world of colour, where everything in sight would make for a great painting; “I never looked at the sky or the sea in the same way.” She developed a deep appreciation for the beauty in her everyday surroundings.

To Jenkins, solitude is time to pause and sit down with oneself, to reflect on situations and recover. While she acknowledges that excessive solitude isn’t necessarily healthy, she also believes in the importance of taking some time alone, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The artist claims to have been a reserved and quiet person since she was a child, preferring the company of her cats and dogs.

Jenkins did not immediately set out to tackle this theme, but rather she painted via stream of consciousness and noticed each piece was evoking a sense of tranquillity, whether it was a scene or a person. Actually, this technique was inspired by Russian artist Regina Lyubovnaya, whose workshop she took last summer. While in the past she would sketch her ideas before paintings, she now immediately begins to use paint on the canvas. Moreover, she also draws inspiration from well-known painters Claude Monet, William Turner and Edgar Degas most.