Art in Malta

Anton Agius is a sculptor in bronze, concrete, stone, cold cast bronze, brass chiselling, ceramics, and wood, a stamp designer and watercolour painter. He was born on 1st December, 1933 in Rabat, Malta. Described as ‘a man with a determination of steel, with an expressive sensibility and a prolific sculptor.’ Anton Agius has since 1961 carved wood and a niche for himself in Maltese contemporary art.

I was introduced to Anton by Angelo Agius. Upon my first meeting with Anton Agius, I felt so much welcome by himself, his wife Mary Louise and his son Anton Junior. We sat down in his sitting room which is fully decorated by his master pieces. Anton, soon started talking with Angelo about is life in general. Angelo described the great respect he has for Anton. Their friendship goes back to 1961 upon Anton’s return from London. I asked Anton for an interview which he did not refuse. He asked his wife to get for us two books which illustrates some of his master pieces.

The conversation, took a spin and Anton started talking about his past and how much hours he spent in the past modelling with clay and carving in stone or wood. He said ‘I spent nights after arriving from the school of arts, modelling in clay and after those hours, I had to wet the clay and cover before I could go to sleep. I was full of energy.’ He continued unfolding some history behind some of his work. One particular master piece is a stone sculpture a figure of circle with a female and male figures. ‘This represent the world generation which as long as there is the male and the female the world can goes round.’ A photo of such master piece will be added next week. A detailed interview with Anton is scheduled for next week.

As to general life history, Anton’s history goes back to 1953 where till 1957 he studied at the Malta Government School of Art and was awarded a four-year scholarship abroad. In Rome he studied at the Academia di Belle Arti, Scuola Del Nudo dell’Associazone Artistica Internazionale and the Scuola delle Arte Ornamentale (Taglio del Legno). In London he studied at St. Martin’s School of Art, where he qualified for the National Diploma in Design, Modelling, Sculpture and Letter Cutting. Anton’s work is all over the Maltese island. Busts and monuments can be found in almost every village and town on the island. Indeed, most of Malta’s sculpture commemorating milestones in its history and the people who shaped its destiny is his.

The Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce awarded its 2006 Gold Medal to Anton Agius, he renowned sculptor, in recognition of his achievements and interest in the Arts.

Some of his masterpieces are; Bronze Monuments executed by Anton Agius include: Workers Memorial Monument, Msida, Malta; Freedom Monument, Vittoriosa, Malta; Dun Mikiel Xerri and Compatriots, Valletta, Malta; Sette Giungo, Valletta, Malta; Manuel Dimech, Valletta, Malta; Anton Buttigieg, Hamrun, Malta and Mrs Maria Balbi, Marsa, Malta

Do you know Anton? Do you have any comments or Anton’s work in your private collection? Please send me comments and you can also send me photos of Anton’s work to be uploaded in the website.