Artist Graham Gurr BA, PGCE, MRes, FRSA, is holding a lecture on sketchbooks at the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce. The lecture takes an expansive look at sketchbooks including a presentation of varied important sketchbook examples.

This exciting and unique form of art is discussed from the point of view of being a platform for research, developmental thinking and ideas, an expressive and personal form of creativity. The sketchbook is also discussed as an essential tool for artists, architects, designers and students to use in their daily practice.

This talk provides the members of the general public as well as professionals with the opportunity to broaden their understanding of the professional practice of exploring and developing the groundwork of their ideas. It also presents sketchbooks as a problem-solving tool that virtually anyone can make use of.

Sketchbook talks, conferences and exhibitions are a growing area of interest in many countries and many good examples of such works by old masters and contemporary artists are being published. Such examples include the sketchbooks by Picasso, Cezanne and Frank Lloyd Wright.

This talk is the first of its kind in Malta and potentially the first of several such talks on sketchbooks in Malta. It is hoped it will expand awareness of this form of professional practice.

The presentation will include examples of the sketch work of architect Professor Richard England and of artists Austin Camilleri and Maxine Attard. There will also be numerous examples of Graham Gurr’s own sketchbook work. The examples will show formats, mediums, methods and purposes for projects of use for a wide-ranging variety of professions including architects, designers and artists.

The lecture will be held at Palazzo de La Salle, The Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, 219 Republic Street., Valletta on Wednesday, 7 December between 6.30 and 8pm. One is invited to be seated by 6.15pm. Entrance is free.