Last week I received the Best Gibraltar-Themed Work Award at the 52nd Gibraltar International Art Exhibition 2025.
More than 100 artworks were selected for the exhibition, with artists from Spain, Gibraltar, and England. The overall level was high, which makes this recognition especially meaningful.
This was my first in-person competitive exhibition, so leaving with the award, positive feedback from the judges, and an excellent experience feels like a great milestone.
🎨 About the Painting: The Quiet Ascent in Gavino’s Court, Gibraltar.
This watercolor portrays an elderly man slowly climbing the steps of Gavino’s Court. At first glance, it is a simple daily scene — one more quiet moment in a narrow Mediterranean street. But the message reaches further.
It is a metaphorical subject: an old man gently ascending toward the light. It suggests a calm transition — the inevitable, solitary, yet peaceful path that all of us must take. There is no drama, no fear; only acceptance, dignity, and serenity.
The figure does not look back, nor rush forward. His steps are steady, almost meditative. Light becomes both destination and companion. What could be a routine gesture turns into a reflection on aging, memory, and the quiet nobility of everyday perseverance.
This reading is subtle by design. The scene remains grounded in reality — nothing theatrical, nothing explicitly symbolic — but the vertical progression, soft atmosphere, and gradual light invite contemplation. As some press articles noted, the canvas balances realism with emotional stillness, creating a narrative that is more felt than told.
Technique and Atmosphere
The painting follows a controlled layering process, building depth through values and transparent washes rather than bold strokes.
Key technical elements:
- Neutral, cool palette with hints of warm reflected light
- Gradual tonal ascent leading the eye upward
- Architectural precision softened by atmospheric edges
- Delayed insertion of the human figure, carefully fused into the light structure
- Grounded foreground foliage to frame the ascent
Although watercolor is often associated with speed and spontaneity, this work relies on patience, planning, and subtle transitions — a slow, contemplative approach aligned with the subject itself.
The original reference photograph belongs to Mabelle Imossi, whose eye for intimate Gibraltarian corners and quiet human moments brings authenticity and soul to these spaces. I remain grateful for her generosity.
In the end, this piece speaks to silence, light, and the simple dignity of moving forward — one step at a time.
There are locations that don’t need embellishment — just honesty and attention. Gavino’s Court is one of them.
🙏 Acknowledgements
My thanks to the Gibraltar Cultural Services, the organization, and the judges for the award and the event.
Congratulations as well to the rest of the participating artists — outstanding works all around.
📰 Press Mentions
📸 Multimedia
Below you can find a small selection of photos and media related to the exhibition and the awarded painting.
JUAN ANELO WATERCOLOR 
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