Born in 1975, Maltese artist Keith Balzan attended the Malta School of Art at the age of 7 and studied Advanced level Art under the skillful guidance of the late Frans Galea, E V Borg and for a short stint received lessons from Paul Grech. But most of all, Keith is self taught, experimenting with various media and textures. His art is a far cry from commercial paintings and forcefully reflects his mood, spontaneity and burning passion for the creative interpretation of everyday life. His paintings bizarrely embark on journeys and change drastically until they reach completion.

Keith graduated in Art after having studied at the University of Malta in 1997. He has taught art to secondary school students ever since, conveying his zest and love for the subject that he carries within.

The art critic E.V. Borg has written the following on Keith’s art: “Keith Balzan is highly gifted and is poised to take risks and exploit further his creative talents. His impeccable draughtsmanship with sharply defined linearity and geometric properties, his incised and defined graphic force are auxiliary to his dramatic ‘chiaroscuro’ technique. His predilection for dark and obscure forms and spaces lit by fitful brilliant flashes of light reveal a dark side to his character, a strange and almost bizarre vision laced by a tragic element.

His forte is his pencil drawings, his sketches in pen and ink, his ink and washes. His graphic works in a contrast of black and white reveal his expressive powers, his forceful character. He loves dark, obscure colours and a chromatic palette to obtain a dynamic punch and almost violent impact…”

His next exhibition Genesis will take place at St James Cavalier between 7 July and 15 August.

www.keithbalzan.com

n How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

31. Well, I may be a Taurus or a Gemini… depends on who’s writing the horoscope. My birthday is on 21 May, the exact day the star signs change!

n What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

Definitely still painting, possibly still

teaching.

n What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being surrounded by the people who matter most to me: my wife, family and friends.

What is your favourite occupation?

I still love teaching, however I sometimes envy a graphic designer’s job. Being a full-time artist would be wonderful, but I am aware that I’m living on this small island…

What is your greatest fear?

Death…

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Loyalty and the ability to listen; quite rare qualities in today’s life!

How would you like to die?

What a question! Possibly without pain, surrounded by the people who love me.

What is your greatest extravagance?

A beautiful but extremely over-priced library, which adorns my living room.

What is your greatest regret?

I have none.

What is your most treasured possession?

My computer and all the data I have stored in it… along with my FIFA 05 pc football game! It really helps me unwind.

Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

I’m happy with what I have. The ability to paint, simply “colours” my life.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Not having enough food in order to carry on living.

Where would you like to live?

When visiting another country, I try to imagine myself living there. Having said that, I must confess that I’m quite happy living on this small, humid, hot and dirty (sorry!) island.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Being spontaneous and sincere… although this helped me to make friends I have also acquired some enemies! But I’ll continue being myself.

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

My wife and my mother. They are both strong and love me unconditionally!

n What is it that you most dislike?

People who give too much importance to

politics.

What is your motto?

My artistic one goes like this: “Interpreting life through passion….”