Vitae is an exhibition of sculptures by Gozitan sculptor Mario Agius. Vitae meaning life is a showcase of wood, stone and marble sculptures in which Agius is giving a breath of life to the material on which he intervenes to give form and narrative. Besides exploiting a variety of materials, Mario makes use of their particular features to enhance his expressionist renderings. His expressionistic and almost primitive approach to the media is visible especially in his wood and weathered limestone sculptures.
As stated by Joseph F.X. Zahra in his critique in the exhibition's catalogue "...it is evident that in his robust and tactile works there is a search for a soul in the landscape and environment that surrounds him. The Gozo landscape is an integral part of his works... the ruggedness of the rock shape, the sun-beaten trunks found in the dry clay and soil on the ground, the sweat and heat of the person walking and working the land. It is a search in this dry landscape which is being conducted with calmness and in silence... patiently, but also persistently as his works are seen as a continuum and that can now be identified by their visible characteristics. It is not a flat and horizontal motion, but one of restless movement tending upwards seeking the Alpha and Omega of the spirit - God. It reflects the movement in a shared planetary and evolutionary destiny, where man, animals, vegetables and minerals are unified in an effort to move towards the Supreme Spirit".
The main artworks in this exhibition deal with various tableaux from the Gospels especially events from the life of Christ. However, other works speak about the concept of life in its entirety such as love, maternity and slavery.
Fr Tony Sciberras, the rector of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Gozo affirmed that "within the art of Mario Agius, the creation of the new, the other - from that which is fragile, from materials lacking form and beauty - seems to be the central theme: the creation of the human figure from scattered rocks or formless branches; the formation of a new life in a woman's fragile womb; the new life that emerges from that which has been broken, deprived of all human dignity and crucified. Mario Agius sees life even where you and I see only death".
Mario Agius (b. 1956) has manifested a fond inclination to sculpture and design from his early years. He began his artistic studies under the late Mons. Michelangelo Apap and furthered his studies in wood sculpture under the famous Maltese artist Anton Agius (1933-2008). He also attended design classes under Harry Alden. Juginder Lamba, a sculptor of international repute described Mario's works as if they "oozed with humanity and the human condition in a truly universal sense".
The artist has a number of sculptures in private collections both locally and abroad including England, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. His finest wood sculptures adorn churches all around the Maltese islands. In 1989 he followed a course of studies in Cheltenham, England at the White Knight Gallery under the tuition of international artist Ian Norbury.
Presently Agius teaches technology and design in wood at Ninu Cremona Lyceum Complex, Victoria Gozo. He is a member of the British Woodcarvers Association in London where he has exhibited a number of times. His first personal exhibition entitled Nature Exalted was held at the Banca Giuratale, Gozo in June 2008. In July 2009, Mario exhibited his sculptures at the Marzi Art International Galerie in Hamburg, Germany.
In 2010, Ballerina, a sculpture in olive wood, was awarded the silver medal in the 10th Salon International exhibition organised by Groupemant Artistique Nantes Facade Atlantique (Ganfa) in Nantes, France. In 2011, another two sculptures, Kommunita' and il-Ħajja were shortlisted by the Arti fit-Toroq Competition organised by the Ministry for Gozo. Subsequently Mario was commissioned to sculpt a monumental sculpture in wood of Kommunita which was installed at the Mġarr Passenger's Terminal in Gozo. Throughout November and December a large sculpture in olive wood on the theme of the advent was displayed near the main altar at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary in Gozo. Mr Agius has held a number of personal exhibitions locally and participated in various collective exhibitions in Malta and across Europe.
This exhibition is hosted by the Sacred Heart Seminary of Gozo and is kindly supported by the Ministry for Gozo, The Xagħra local council, APS Bank, Cavalieri Art Hotel and Remax Property Centre.
Vitae will be open for public viewing for one week from Palm Sunday, 29 March until Easter Sunday, 5 April at the Hall of the Sacred Heart Seminary in Victoria, Gozo. The artist can be contacted on 9947 2831; email: [email protected] or by visiting his website www.marioagius.com