Back to the roots

For his fourth personal exhibition, Mario Agius is showing a series of sculptures inspired by various themes.

‘Roots’ is a showcase of wood, stone and marble sculptures in which Agius expresses his love for capturing figurative and semi- abstracted forms.

Besides exploiting a variety of materials, Agius makes use of their particular features to enhance his expressionist renderings. Many of his sculptures are inspired by mother and child, family and lovers themes and human suffering.

Agius (b.1956) began his artistic studies under the late Mgr Michelangelo Apap and furthered his studies in wood sculpture under the late Anton Agius.

The artist has a number of sculptures in private collections both locally and abroad, including London, Switzerland, Germany and Australia. His wood sculptures adorn churches all around Malta.

In 1989 he furthered his studies in Cheltenham, England, at the White Knight Gallery under the tuition of international artist Ian Norbury.

Agius has taken part in various collective exhibitions both locally and abroad. In 2009, he exhibited in Germany after being invited by the Marzi Art International Galerie of Hamburg.

He won a silver medal at the 10th International Salon Ganfa exhibition in Nantes, France, with the sculpture entitled Ballerina.

‘Roots’ opens for viewing on March 29 and runs until April 30, at Palazzo Ferreria 310, Republic Street, Valletta. Opening hours are from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The artist can be contacted on 9947 2831 or through his website www.marioagius.com.