Update 2: Anton Agius funeral tomorrow
(Adds Culture Ministry's tribute)
The funeral of well-known sculptor Anton Agius will be held tomorrow in Rabat. Mr Agius, died yesterday aged 74.
He was prolific in works in bronze, concrete, stone, brass and in ceramics and was also a watercolour painter. His works include the Sette Giugno Monument in Valletta and the Freedom Monument in Vittoriosa.
He is survived by his wife Mary-Louise and his son, Anton.
The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital at 3.30 p.m. for Ta’ Ġieżu church, Rabat, where Mass will be said at 4 p.m.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport expressed its condolences, saying the demise of Anton Agius was a great loss for his family and also to Malta’s contemporary art scene.
The Nationalist Party in a statement said Mr Agius’s loss would leave a void in the art sector.
It expressed its solidarity with Mr Agius’s family and said his memory would live on in his works for enjoyment by future generations.
The party said it was an honour that one of the last exhibitions in which Mr Agius had taken part was Rotta tal-Arti, held at PN headquarters to mark the 44th anniversary of independence.
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Charlot Cassar
Oct 22nd 2008, 20:49
Farewell...
Anton was a most remarkable artist and teacher, gentle and humble but most powerful in his artistic vision and aura, a true inspiration to his students.
lawrence lanzon
Oct 22nd 2008, 14:01
He was my art teacher in the early 70's The country has lost one of her best artists i can remember.
may he rest in peace
Alan Attard
Oct 21st 2008, 13:33
Anton Agius was a truly remarkable artist; farewell dear friend. Your contribution to the Maltese society is the envy of every artist. Being prolific may sometimes effect quality, but as you once told me you are not an artist if you produce one piece of work every decade; you have to keep on working every day, your mind need not rest on art; do not be afraid to experiment, seek advise. Anton's humility was his greatness.
Anton you were great and your art will live forever. Goodbye dear friend.
josef Spiteri
Oct 21st 2008, 10:27
OMAGG LILL-HABIB TIEGHI ANTON AGIUS
Kif qatt tista` ma thobbx bniedem bhal Anton Agius. Apparti li huwa ghalliem tajjeb huwa ahbib ta' veru ukoll. Qatt ma jirrifjuta li jghinek, qatt ma jixxammar, dejjem lest li jaghti parir siewi, u jirrabja ghall-haddiehor li ma jgahtix parir fejn jista`. Anton kien ragel ta' veru, m'hemmx wicc b'iehor, m'hemmx loghob jew tidwir ta' kliem. Tkun taf dejjem fejn qieghed mieghu. Mill-bidu nett kemm kont ili nafu dejjem mexa b'irgulija kbira kemm mieghi u kemm ma ohrajn li forsi xi darba jew ohra tajbuh jghinhom fil-qasam tal-arti.
Tlifna Artist kbir...imma fuq kollox tlifna ragel li mill-esperjenza qarsa ta' hajtu gharaf jsawwar monumenti kbar ghall-din is-socjeta` Maltija, li tant kien ihobb. Qatt ma rnexxieli nirringrazzjak bizzejjed ta' kemm ghamilt mieghi. Kont int, li bis-sahha, bl-energija, u l-karizma tieghek zammejtni vicin l-arti. Kont int li dejjem imbuttajt u ghamiltli kuragg biex anke` f'mumenti difficli , nkompli nahdem nistudja u nohrog it-talenti tieghi fl-arti. Grazzi grazzi u grazzi ..... ma ninsik qatt
kenneth cauchi
Oct 20th 2008, 23:43
I can vividly still smell his cigar.........Anton Agius......my art teacher in 1988. You are no more in the world of the living but will be remembered through your art. A person that despite great difficulties in life kept life going on and on. A person that is definietly a role model to today's society. May you rest in peace. Kenneth from Mtarfa Boys Secondary school
Charles Cassar
Oct 20th 2008, 22:25
Farewell dear friend, so sincere,so humble,so easy to be with. Always available, so humane and considerate! You were great and so is your art! We miss you so much and so will all those whom you encouraged to take the plunge in the artistic field.
You were tested a lot, sufferred in the process but bore all with courage and in silence. Cioa Anton, I am going to miss you deeply. My deepest condolences to his wife and son.
Charles Cassar
C Chircop
Oct 20th 2008, 19:44
Condolences to probably our best contemporary sculptor. I had the opportunity to meet him once when he was awarded the Gold Medal by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce in 2007. That evening, he was very moved when receiving this award and you could see the humility of this person.
His legacy will live on in the several masterpieces attributed to him in Malta and Gozo.
Alfred Grech
Oct 20th 2008, 16:58
Anton Agius was an excellent sculptor, a humanist and a super nice human being. Mere words cannot describe the beautiful person that Anton Agius was.
He will be treasured in the hearts of many especially in those of us who knew him.
Our condolences to his family.
Alfred Farrugia
Oct 20th 2008, 15:43
I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Anton’s family and friends. I had the opportunity to get to know Anton when he kindly produced artistic motor sport trophies for the Malta Automobile and Cycle Racing Association several years ago. He will be missed, but never forgotten through his works.
Claire Farrugia
Oct 20th 2008, 14:36
Rabat and Malta have lost a wonderful and amazing person and sculptor. I remember going to his studio with my father as a child, and being impressed by his works and also by his friendliness. He will be cherished forever, especially by the people of Rabat, not only for his great works but also by the people who knew him personally, for his great character. My condolensces go to his relatives, family and friends.