Acclaimed artist Norbert Francis Attard has been hosting 12 international art world figures at Gozo Contemporary. Heralding from as far away as Brazil, Greece, Spain, Germany, Romania, Japan, America and Iran, they include a residency director, filmmaker, photographer, musician, painter and multimedia artist. Together they are the largest group to stay at Gozo Contemporary since its inception in 2001.
In 2001 Attard opened Gozo Contemporary to introduce contemporary art to Malta. Gozo Contemporary is the only consistently run, annual residency in Malta. “I wanted to give back to the Maltese society,” Attard says, “the things that I personally experienced and saw when I was exhibiting abroad. As Malta doesn’t have contemporary art museums, cutting-edge galleries or art foundations, I felt that this was something I could offer”.
Gozo Contemporary provides visiting artists with spacious studio space, computer access, video editing equipment and a large screen room along with individual apartments and studio space to pursue their work.
Once a year, Attard invites artists from all disciplines to create in this idyllic setting as well as to discover the beauty of Malta, its rich culture and arresting landscape. To this end, the Malta Tourism Authority arranged an extensive two-day tour of the islands for the artists; and they are now transforming their experiences into paintings, musical compositions, multimedia installations, films and photographs – all inspired by their stay here.
As the American artist Kathleen Bitteti notes: “Gozo Contemporary offers a unique working experience and setting as the country of Malta is so rich and layered with history, culture, geography. One will have a multitude of sensory and historical experiences to draw from for their artistic endeavours while at the residency and long after.” Another artist, the British photographer Zsusanna Ardó, known for her powerful portraits of various cultures, describes the islands as “pregnant with drama, emotional suspense and artistic stimulation. What a context for an international residency. Gozo Contemporary is a place of light, inspiration, space and creative dialog”. Similarly the multi-media German artist Helga Griffiths describes, Gozo Contemporary as “a magical place, full of energy”.
Last weekend, the artists had another treat: Attard arranged a traditional Maltese party at which the artists and musicians shared their works in progress with the community.
Gozo Contemporary Artists-in-Residence 2009: Zsusanna Ardó (England), Ana Becheru (Romania), Kathleen Bitetti (America), Carlos Corona (Spain), Dirk Drijboons (Greece), Paul Gilby (England), Helga Griffiths (Germany), Bahman Panahi (Iran), Silvia Poloto (Brazil), George Saguna (Malta), Minako Saitoh (Japan), Janice Schales (England), Mary Sherman (America) and Maria Varela (Spain).
Gozo Contemporary is located at 11 Mongur Street, Gharb, Gozo. For more information contact Norbert Francis Attard on 7904 1051 or email: [email protected]