The Malta Independent on Sunday
Two art exhibitions at The Phoenicia Malta
The doors of The Phoenicia Malta have always been open to artists. This Art Deco hotel already has the largest private collection of Edward Caruana Dingli paintings on permanent exhibition which is a good enough start to attract art lovers.
At present there are two exhibitions going on both curated by Dr Charlene Vella. Amelia St George is exhibiting her sculptures in the new SPA, Deep Nature, until the end of September while Marie Claire Farrugia’s Polymorphs at the Palm Court, is running until the end of August.
I find that The Phoenicia Malta is an ideal place for exhibitions. This is because parking is never too difficult, especially if one drops in after working hours. Two other reasons: you can pop in any time during the day or in the evening. Moreover exhibitions remain open for a full month. Two weeks is simply too short a time and I feel sorry for artists who have done so much work towards an exhibition and no sooner have they put it up that it must go down again to make space for other artists. So hurrah for exhibitions at the Phoenicia.
I also enjoy the fact that I could sit down for a decent cup of tea and a salmon sandwich in elegant surroundings and be served graciously at 8pm.
Amelia whose children live in Paris, showed me round the sculptures in the SPA, on two levels. A woman brimming with ideas but who also has a sense of fun, spoke a little about them. For details do look at her website.
I asked her about the little silver sculptures of animals which intrigued me. She says that the story of these sculptures began in Malta.
“Maltese craftsmen have a long history from the Knights onwards working with silver. It is an easier metal for me to use being softer than bronze, all the smallest details are more accurate.
I like creating sculptures that can be seen three dimensionally. When I was sculpting the little Chimpanzee I had sculpted two previous chimps each discarded as they were not quite right. Then watching yet other Chimp videos I watched as a young male who didn’t get a second banana walked off, sat down and slouched with sloping shoulders and a look of contemplation. For me these small details make the sculptures live.”
Amelia explained that the little Hatching Turtle was made when
the first nest was being protected in Ghajn Tuffieha bay. The eggs regrettably didn’t hatch “but mine did, struggling out of his soft egg shell as his shell back hardens in the air. I have sold a few Hatching Turtles to Chinese where the turtle is the symbol of longevity.”
Each silver sculptured animal has a Maltese hallmark of the foundry, which, Amelia says, has made them good presents and small investments to give as birth gifts to children or as wedding gifts. “One family I know has nearly all my sculptures but Nanna keeps them on her table, and as the grandchildren come in they point to their animal.”
She would like to sculpt a few more of Malta’s indigenous species such as the protected Pygmy White Toothed Shrew, the Maltese Wall Lizard or even the Fresh Water Crab. “Now that would be a real challenge not only for me but for my skilled Maltese workmen.” She
is full of praise for the foundry she uses where they restore silver and create silver ware, much of which is religious.
Marie Claire Farrugia’s exhibition, Polymorphs, is in the Palm Court as soon as you walk into the Phoenicia. There are portraits displayed all round a few of which are framed. I looked for the artist and there she was sitting and drawing with pencils. Upon seeing the pristine white armchairs, she decided she would not bring out her paints.
She is a girl any parent would be proud of. Attractive, tall and slim, hardly any makeup, she talks sense and knows what she wants. Even now, I am not sure what she was trying to say in that exhibition. Her explanation helped greatly. But I pointed out that there should have been available a handout explaining what the artist is trying to tell us. She agreed. This is her first exhibition.
Marie Claire has a degree in Pharmacy and works with a pharmaceutical company. She also has a Masters in art a subject she has always loved. Why didn’t she do a course in Art right away? “Unfortunately art was never presented to me as a full-time or realistic option. Which is sad, however in no way do I regret my decision. My first degree has, without a doubt, shaped me into the person I am today. I was always a pretty analytical person so pharmacy was also in a way a natural choice.” Somehow, C.P. Snow’s famous book The Two Cultures came to mind as we spoke.
Do those who come to see the exhibition ask for an explanation if she is around, like I did? “I think
it’s a bit of a mix. You have people that do ask and some others that don’t...maybe they understood the idea or maybe they just thought it is all rubbish, I don’t know. But irrespectively of whether or not they talk to me, if my work has managed to stop them in their tracks, even for a few seconds, and made them think, then I consider the work to be successful. We are in much need for some critical thinking.” I couldn’t agree more.
And if I have understood properly her exhibition is about being aware of what is true and what is false, fake or authentic. So appropriate in this day and age when we try so hard to distinguish truth from lies in every sphere of life. With her art especially the Pantone works, she hopes to trigger viewers into questioning any imagery or information they consume and be critical about it. She reminds me of the multitude of fake information we receive on a daily basis disguised as facts and truth.
With some other works she used a decollage technique “in an attempt at trying to uncover some form of truth. So in reality my works fluctuate between acceptance, protest and complacency.” Marie Claire is a philosopher as well as everything else. “I want my art to say something not be just another piece with which to decorate walls.” She then points out at an ® on the portraits, on the top right hand corner. “On social media we give up so many of our rights so easily, such as appearances. By including the trademark I am protecting the sitters rights and their identity,”
Her exhibition is on until the end of August. She will be at the Phoenicia on Wednesday 31st August from 7pm onwards. You will enjoy talking to her.