Mythological gods inspire idea for art park

A seminal idea that was conceived in Bulgaria is expected to bear wholesome fruit if it finds fertile soil in Malta.

The idea - the brain child of artist and art director Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci - is to assemble a number of Bulgarian sculptors and other artists of the highest calibre from different countries on the island where they would create a park where their verve would be given free rein.

Dr Schembri, who uses the name Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci when he wears the hat of an artist, is a lawyer and a former ambassador for Malta in the former Union of the Soviet Socialists Republic.

He is a close collaborator of that great Italian theatre director and author Dario Fo and with poet and script writer Tonino Guerra.

During one of his regular visits to Paris and Milan where he often collaborates with local artists, Dr Schembri met a group of Bulgarian sculptors who were exhibiting in Paris. Initially, the connection with this group started out as a workshop of his (Schembri Bonaci's) own works in Paris and in Sofia.

"I have been toying with this train of thought based on the connection between Pan, the god of love and Anubis, the Egyptian god of the netherworld.

"The plan is for me and my Bulgarian and other colleagues to create art works, be they paintings, sculptures or ceramics, and exhibit them under one theme," he said.

The Bulgarians include professors Hroum Damianov and Emil Popov and lecturers Stoyan Dechov and Orlin Ivanov all from the Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia.

"Every one of us is working on several concepts and designs that hopefully will be turned into art works that will embellish a plot of land transforming it into an art park.

"I am asking the government to let us to use a parcel of land that will be planted with trees and that will serve as a permanent home for the mystifying mysteries that colour the world of Pan, the ancient god of procreation and the world of Anubis, the god of death.

"This is my next ambitious project. I am currently working on my contribution which is a ceramic being done at Potterware at Ta' Qali. Potterware have been very good to me by providing me with all the needs towards this venture.

"The pictures of the works (accompanying this piece) by these artists show the high level of academic and artistic achievement of these artists. I trust I will have the opportunity to bring their experience and expertise to Malta."