Allura Art welcomes artist Kevin Sciberras
Introducing our newest artist
Allura is pleased to announce the latest artist to join Allura Art - Maltese painter Kevin Sciberras.
In this welcome blog post Kevin answers our questions about his painting and talks about his artistic journey so far.
Meanwhile, to read his biography and view his portfolio of original paintings, visit Kevin’s profile page on Allura Art.
Kevin Sciberras on the Maltarti television programme talking about his art
Kevin, welcome to Allura Art. We’re very pleased to be showcasing your work. What made you decide to join us?
My aim is for my art to reach a wider audience. The fact that my art can be purchased online has intrigued me for years.
Mdina - Aerial View
Kevin’s painting Mdina - Aerial View (above) and Soaring High (below) feature St. Paul’s Cathedral in Malta‘s former capital, Mdina. The cathedral was designed by Maltese baroque architect Lorenzo Gafa and is widely regarded as his masterpiece.
Soaring High
You’ve been painting now for 22 years. How do you choose your subject-matter?
I draw my inspiration from my surroundings, mainly from the urban environment. I seek out familiar settings, but highlight the subtle and unique qualities that we often take for granted. I’m inspired by buildings and the repeated forms of windows and columns. I’m attracted to the way sunlight hits these surfaces and creates shadows, which in turn create more interesting shapes.
I use my art to challenge the ugliness that surrounds us. Many villages and towns are unfortunately losing their character, so I try to seek out beauty and convey the soul of these places, to encourage their preservation.
Cathedral of Mdina
How would you describe your painting?
I have a passion for architecture. It allows light to have a play on forms and so the subject offers me the perfect opportunity to create my own world of light. I use quick, spontaneous brushstrokes, going back and forth, constructing and deconstructing, creating layers of colour and light until I’m satisfied. The abstract shapes capture the layers of history and fading memories, and the past, present and future all intersect in my work.
How regularly do you paint and how much time do you devote to your practice?
I work every day, trying to find a balance between my practice and my teaching career.
Kevin Sciberras at work on a new painting
Can you tell us about your approach to teaching art?
I’ve been an art educator for the past 20 years.
‘I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.’ (Socrates). I firmly believe in this saying. I can only guide my students to find their own answers and solutions.
“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”
Kevin Sciberras and some of his art students at the 2018 opening of his joint exhibition in Gozo - Of Land and Sea.
You’re now an established artist. What does it take to reach this stage in your artistic practice?
Art education and learning through self-experimentation have equally shaped my skills as an artist. Each new painting is an opportunity to ‘out-do’ myself and create a personal best. Every painting is a challenge, an experiment, because every time I’m faced with a blank canvas I’m never sure whether it will work or not.
Each piece is the culmination of everything I’ve learned so far, all the techniques that I’ve mastered and the ideas that I’ve absorbed along the way. I look at my paintings every day and I believe that I can do more. Hard work is of the utmost importance. Then, maybe something will arise from this experimentation.
St. George's Basilica
St George’s Basilica, as shown above, is a historic baroque church on Malta’s sister island, Gozo, surrounded by a maze of alleys and narrow winding streets. This aerial view of the church and its historic surroundings is rendered in the artist’s distinctive painterly brushstrokes and abstracted forms.
Finally, what are your creative aspirations going forward?
My aim is to diversify my subject-matter and to experiment further using different approaches. I also look forward to more artistic collaborations.
Townhouses
In Townhouses (above) the artist captures the familiar scene of a typical Maltese facade, with its distinctive and brightly coloured traditional balconies.
To view Kevin’s available artwork - visit his portfolio page on Allura Art.
Kevin is just one of the artists whose paintings are available through the Allura Art online gallery. Artwork is available at studio prices and can be delivered or collected locally or shipped overseas. To view artwork according to budget, visit the search by price page.
For news and updates from Allura, follow the Allura Art blog, join the mailing list or follow Allura on Facebook.
Finally, in case you’re new to Allura Art…
About the Allura Art Collection
The Allura Art Collection is an evolving, curated collection of original paintings, by more than a dozen contemporary painters based in Malta and Gozo. The Allura Art website features pieces in a variety of genres, styles and sizes to suit home, office or commercial interiors. Original paintings also make beautiful and unique gifts, and the search by price page makes it easy to browse according to your budget.
The Allura Art collection is regularly updated with new artwork and new artists. To receive updates by email, join our mailing list.
About the Allura Art advisory service
Allura Art also offers an advisory service, which serves commercial and residential property owners, as well as architects and designers, either seeking direction, or looking to commission a bespoke series or site-specific piece.
Whether residential or commercial, Allura can source, commission or design individual pieces or curate a selection tailored to an interior design scheme.
Allura also welcomes professional relationships with architects and designers as well as contact from other interested parties.
Allura Art deals only in genuine and authenticated originals which are sourced directly from reputable living painters. We offer original fine art at studio prices with secure online payment and safe shipping internationally or local delivery throughout Malta and Gozo. Visit the Allura Art website or find Allura on Facebook or Instagram at @allura_malta. Contact Allura at info@allura.mt or +356 99583389.
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