Alfred Chircop's success in France

Just after his one-man-show at the Palace of Europe in Strasbourg, where he exhibited 16 works, and before his exhibition in Paris, which is still going on, the artist Alfred Chircop presented two remarkable abstract paintings at the 18th Salon d'Arts Plastiques at La Rochelle.

This salon, founded by Christiane Toulouse, has become one of the most prestigious regional salons in France and every year attracts a considerable number of artists from France and from abroad. Over 400 works were exhibited this year.

The salon is patronised by the French Minister of Culture and Communication and by the president of the regional council.

Chircop won the gold medal and the very sought after Grand Medal of the City of La Rochelle. His biographical sketch as well as some photographs of his major works, which were exhibited in Malta and abroad, will be kept in the La Rochelle's city archives. The Maltese artist is the only one who obtained two prizes.

After his success at La Rochelle, Chircop was invited by M. Salort, president of the Facade Atlantique International Salon to present two works between October 16 and November 8 in the city of Nantes.

Chircop was also contacted by the owner of the gallery Art Present, who attended the vernissage of the Salon d'Arts Plastiques at La Rochelle, to exhibit his own choice of his works in Paris in the next season!

I was invited to form part of the jury of the 18th Salon d'Arts Plastiques de La Rochelle. Unfortunately, I could not accept the invitation this year. Ms Toulouse informed me that the salon's jury granted a medal in the Marines section to the Maltese painter John Borg Manduca for his "two superb works inspired by the sea".