Access to the abstract

A lavish book about Luciano Micallef's abstract works of art will be launched this week at the artist's own gallery in San Pawl tat-Targa.

The book has an introduction by Edward Debono and chapters by the artist himself as well as by David E. Cooper, Paul Sant Cassia, Doris Zarb and Donald Friggieri. They look at Mr Micallef's work from their own perspectives and professional backgrounds.

The idea for the book was hatched last year in Australia, where Mr Micallef was invited as an artist in residence at the Australian National University in Canberra.

"I was able to closely examine the complex roles played by psychology, perception, memory, interpretation and philosophy, which are the essential properties which determine depth and personality of an artwork," he said.

The book is partly an answer to those who are unable to connect to abstract painting.

"In abstract art there is a strong discourse going on. There are multiple perspectives and possibilities, but the viewer has to free himself and detach himself from the obvious, the material and the mundane and seek interpretations that belong to his own personal experiences. The viewer can also exercise creativity by being interpretative," Mr Micallef said.

He said he saw a huge affinity between the book and a painting, not only because he designed the book himself and took all the photos, but also because both book and paintings "attempt to reveal some of the hidden mysteries of the lives we live".

"They connect people because they communicate ideas and they also tell enchanting stories. They also make tangible what is silent and transparent. They are both a reminder of a world that lies beyond our skin. Maybe a book has at times an advantage over a painting because a writer has often the ability to translate verbally so many experiences that are so difficult to articulate," Mr Micallef said.

"In researching for my book, I had to look at all my abstracts. In a way this is like a retrospective exhibition. A lot of time and effort have gone into it. Indeed, it encapsulates my life in art so far. Like my art, this book has my DNA in it," he said.