Living in the love of the common people

Many years ago, at the Upper Barrakka, in Valletta, an elderly man known as Majsi would sprinkle chewed pieces of bread on the ground to feed the ants. “Although to us it seemed absurd, in his simplicity he probably thought that someone should care enough to feed these little creatures. Most of the crumbs were picked up by the pigeons that gathered around him,” artist Frederick Gingell recalled.

It hurts when somebody tells me they have not visited their mother for months

Majsi, or the ant feeder, is one of the characters immortalised in the works of Mr Gingell that pay tribute to ordinary people who, somehow, touched his life.

“Although I haven’t seen him in over 40 years, his image is extremely vivid in my mind,” the 65-year-old artist wrote in the brochure of his exhibition entitled Fis-Skiet (in silence).

Mr Gingell had studied art at a young age but the talent remained dormant for years. He started painting again 11 years ago and is now presenting his third solo exhibition.

This exhibition celebrates unsung heroes: common people who go about their life quietly yet leave a mark on others.

“Some struggled in life to leave a better world behind them, others endured without bitterness the burden of life. The personages are a representation of a cross-section of people whom I admire and who, somehow, influenced unconsciously my outlook on life,” Mr Gingell wrote.

His colourful oil paintings tell the stories of various interesting characters from his childhood such as Majsi, Pawla, the farmer’s wife who lived near their summer residence, a novice cloister nun he once met and an influential school teacher who inspired him.

His portraits also capture moments in his life such as when he, and several other workers, were suspended from work due to political discrimination.

“Unscrupulous people are blinded by the power they possess and never reflect on the suffering they are imposing onto other families, who are just like their own,” the artist reflected.

The exhibition also focuses on family as he shares his memories of relatives, such as his cousin Valerie, who liked wearing large hats at the beach, and his mother.

“Although her schooling may have been limited, she personified wisdom... She knew how to remain silent, never divulging a secret, a lesson she taught me so well. It hurts when somebody tells me they have not visited their mother for months. How could you?”

Mr Gingell’s exhibition, which opens on Wednesday and runs until May 25, will be held at Camilleri Paris Mode in Rabat.

www.frederickgingell.com