Watercolour exhibition at Auberge d’Italie
Architects are special people. Their vision for another person’s home, for a nation’s Parliament or even for a public convenience is tailor-made to suit defined needs and functions, yet it is also representative of society, history and development.
It is, therefore, no surprise that the creativity of an architect is often translated into other artistic genres, such as product design, poetry or even painting.
This is very much the case with Mark Geoffrey Muscat, whose exhibition titled Shape, Colour and Composition is currently on show at the Auberge d’Italie in Valletta.
Although he has previously participated in joint exhibitions and student collectives such as I Graffiti e l’Architettura in Milan in 2007, and in Book Art, at the University of Malta in 2008, this is his first one-man show.
Born in Gozo, Mr Muscat’s artistic training commenced with Charlot Cassar, Harry Alden, Winston Hassall and Jessica DeBattista. His formal studies were conducted at the University of Malta (2004-2009) and during this time he was lectured by visual artists Anton Grech and Ruth Bianco.
He also studied at the Politecnico di Milano (2007-2008), following a course in architectural photography under Prof. Marco Introini.
Mr Muscat says of his paintings: “The works are not an anachronistic representation of the past but rather an illustration of Malta today. The watercolours offer the viewers (including tourists visiting the Auberge d’Italie) a different perspective to these subjects as seen through the eyes of an architect.”
Moreover, he explains how “this project was an important part of my development as an artist, since it highlights a turning point. The works on display highlight a significant phase in my artistic development...”
Watercolour is far from being an easy medium to handle. Yet Mr Muscat’s paintings reveal a spontaneity which indicates the artist’s confidence in the medium.
Writing in Mr Muscat’s exhibition brochure, Theresa Vella explains how “Muscat’s technique remains freshly experimental, yet his choice of subject works best when he wanders off-piste. In any case, the confident grasp of colour, which is the one defining quality of Muscat’s best pieces, keeps me wondering how this might surface in the course of his work as architect-designer.”
The exhibition runs until Thursday.