"It is a journey of a soul in torment, a confession of a spiritual struggle, a factual account of a mental crisis that is both psychic and tangibly physical. The frenzied but vivid images are a scanning of the artist’s brain as good and evil struggle fiercely for supremacy in a bipolar stance. It is a feverish struggle to the bitter end. The conflict is fought with passion, verve and emotion. Although autobiographical the work has a universal and cosmic dimension." -- E. V. Borg

An art exhibition, entitled De-Coding Beauty is to be held at the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism at Auberge D’Italie, Merchants Street, Valletta. The exhibition is to be inaugurated by the Hon. Dr. Mario De Marco, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism on Saturday 12th of April at 7.30pm.

Artists Christopher Saliba and Mario Cassar are presenting a collection of paintings in a joint exhibition titled “Selection – D.O.C.” at gallery Art …e, Victoria, Gozo. The two artists, both born in 1975, live in Gozo and are teachers by profession. Mr. Christopher Saliba teaches Art at Ninu Cremona Lyceum Complex at Victoria. He put up eight major exhibitions, the latest of which were hosted by St. James Centre for Creativity and the National Museum of Fine Arts, in Valletta. Mr. Mario Cassar teaches Art at Sir Michelangelo Refalo Post-Secondary Centre at Victoria. He organised nine major exhibitions, the latest of which were hosted by York University and St.Paul’s Church, both in Toronto, Canada.

by E.V. Borg

Sergio Muscat (1978-) is young, sensitive and contemplative. He is immersed in the world of photography. His father, popularly known as Ronnie is his mentor. At sixteen, his father had already lent Sergio one of his SLR cameras with a couple of lenses. And equipped with a manual operated camera without auto-focus Sergio learned to shoot straight photos the hard way. It was a good start backed by an experienced and professional mentor that gave resounding results: a solid foundation with a love for classic photography that transformed a budding amateur into a competent professional.

Following the announcement of his participation in the "New Faces" exhibition to be held at Gallery G in Lija from the 28th February, Sergio Muscat has launched a new website which provides a glimpse into the works which will be exhibited, as well as an inside look into the artist himself.

The new website - www.sergiomuscat.com - will provide an evolving showcase of Sergio's photographic portfolio, events, exhibitions and news. Sergio's Artissa gallery has also been updated with the latest works, most of which will be on exhibition from the 29th February till the 20th March.

February 28th - March 20th
Gallery G, Lija

The "New Faces" Exhibition organised annually by Gallery G (map), will be inaugurated this year on the 28th February, and will be open to the public from the 29th February till mid-March.

This year's line-up of artists includes, for the first time, a photographer. Sergio Muscat will be exhibiting 15 works which bring together years of work and artistic development.

The Gallery is open from Monday-Friday from 9.30am-5.00pm and Saturday from 9.30am-12.00pm. On Saturday 1st March Sergio will be present to meet visitors and discuss the artwork.

By E. V. Borg

Anthony Patrick Vella (1961-) is soft spoken, gentle and kind. He is immersed in art and design. His artistic language is eloquent with a lyrical and poetic element and imbued with rhythm and a musical harmony. His dialectic expresses an atmosphere of serenity, tranquillity, placidity and peace. His yearning for contemplation and meditation might spring from an inner well of profound religious conviction with an irresistible attraction for spiritual transcendence. Though figurative he balances forms in space with structural design. There is a slight surface tension similar to that of a sheet of water. His expression results from actual experience gained on the drawing board during his career as a graphic designer.