Archive for January, 2008

22 01 2008

Joseph Briffa, one of Malta ’s leading artist painters of the 20th Century

Posted by: Emmanuel Caruana in Joseph Briffa
was born in B’Kara on the 12th May,1901. he was second son of the marriage between Joseph Briffa (Senior) and Carmela Sammut.
His artistic activity initiated from an early age, as his father a leading stucco decorator of those times, Joseph, the son, had already shown great interest at the tender age of five. His father on seeing his son’s eagerness and ambition to design and mix some colours, gave him some light work. His father was his first art teacher and always encouraged him for the future.
During his Secondary Education at the De La Salle College, after school hours and home studies, you would always find him either assisting his father in his works or with a pencil or a piece of carbon and some papers drawing anything that attracted his attention or something from memory. After finishing his Secondary Education, he now started his formal art studies at the Malta society of Arts, Manufacture and commerce in Valletta. After some time his studies which were interrupted as he had to join the Army during World War 1. While in uniform he had the opportunity in meeting Major A.E. James, a renowned artist in the Service, who on seeing Briffa’s sketches and works encouraged him to attend classes in art and design under Guze’ Duca’s tuition. After leaving the Service at the end of the war in 1919, he continued with his studies in colour and portraiture at Edward Caruana Dingli’s. In the meantime he was commissioned to do some paintings. His father being a great friend of Mons . Alphonse Borg, Provost of St. Helen’s Basilica, encouraged his son to do a portrait of the Provost.

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07 01 2008

I Paint Therefore I Am by Joseph L Mallia

Posted by: Emmanuel Caruana in Joseph L Mallia

artinmalta.com Joseph L Mallia
Joseph L Mallia’s sixth solo art exhibition was launched on the 5th January 2008 at Auberge d’Italie, Valletta, by the Minister for Tourism and Culture Francis Zammit Dimech.
I Paint Therefore I Am reflects Mr Mallia’s total commitment to his art which is the dazzling outward extrapolation of his inner creativity and feelings.
Mr Mallia studied art at the School of Art in Valletta and also at Bath Academy and Ealing School of Art in the UK. He holds a diploma in Art and Design from Wimbledon School of Art, UK. Long years of teaching and practice are reflected in the evolution of his work.
Most of the exhibits are recent works and include a choice selection of paintings, drawings and prints from Mr Mallia’s prolific portfolio.
The public can visit the exhibition on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until January 30.
 
www.artinmalta.com asked Joseph L Mallia for an interview. The artist accepted the invitation and the interview will be scheduled in the coming days. The interview will be published on this website in the coming weeks.

View more photos from the art exhibition (more…)

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06 01 2008

Chev Emmanuel Fiorentino

Posted by: Emmanuel Caruana in Chev Emmanuel Fiorentino
With great sadness I (Emmanuel Caruana) would like to inform artinmalta readers with the passing of Chev Emmanuel Fiorentino.  He passed away on 5th January 2008.
This sudden, unimaginable loss has put many in shock and has left no room for understanding. He was a great human being and a great contributor for several years in the art scene in Malta.  I am sure that everyone has encountered and enjoyed his weekly write-ups on the Sunday Times.
Please share this information with those who he may have touched.
There will be services on Tuesday 8th January at 0830hrs at the Zabbar parish church for those of you who wish to show your respects and a benefit to celebrate his life and help aid in the hardship this has put on his family.
Deepest sympathy
Manuel

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