Village feast.Ġanni Pace epitomises hope for artists who might be giving up on their artistic ambitions.
My works are based on pure fantasy
He started from nothing, climbing up the rungs gradually but steadily, surpassing the hurdles that came in his way over the years. At 66 years, he is now considered to be one of Malta’s leading sculptors.
Valletta-born Pace is currently exhibiting his works in terracotta, stone and wood at the Casino Maltese in Valletta.
“I am a dreamer and my works are based on pure fantasy. They are semi-abstract, in that they are part abstract and part visual. I am inspired by the movements at the bottom of the sea, plants… I love the harmony of nature,” he said, surrounded by his works of art in the club’s courtyard.
Pace has always been touched by the elegance of flying seagulls and they are synonymous with his sculptures.
Human beings and masks are also represented in his art.
“Sometimes, human beings put on masks – they do not show what they are feeling and suppress their emotions,” he said.
The sculptor, who comes across as patient and unpretentious, only discovered terracotta about seven years ago.
However, when he was still a child he played and modelled with clay while on excursions to Mdina with his family.
“Terracotta is more pliable and quicker for finishing pieces.
“Sculptures in wood or stone take more time. In fact with wood, you have to take out the splinters one by one and chisel away carefully,” he said, caressing the face on one of his wooden sculptures.
Pace has over the years been commissioned to create art pieces for a number of presidents, prime ministers and public areas. Only last year he created the monument in bronze to Star, the dog that had stirred the public’s emotions after being buried alive.
He also recalled how many years ago Anton Buttigieg, then still a member of Parliament, had happened to be doing house visits near his studio in Pietà. The man who would be President peeped through the grating of the basement and told the artist: “Some people rear rabbits in their basements, while you create such beautiful works of art.”
Years later, Pace was asked to restore the fountain at the President’s Palace. On such occasions, the President used to go over and see the progress of the work.
Pace has come a long way since the time he used to sculpt above the family home.
This is his 10th exhibition.
“So long as I have the strength and God willing, my wife has the patience to continue putting up with me, I will continue chiselling away and creating these fantastic sculptures,” he added.
Part of the proceeds from the exhibition, open between 9am and 3.30pm, will go towards the Malta Community Chest Fund.