Islands Unveiled is Victor Agius' first exhibition in Malta. In it he is depicting idyllic local sites from the two islands.

“Art has always played a vital role in my life. I was born and nurtured in an artistic atmosphere mainly due to my father's love for art, being himself a sculptor. I remember that my toys were always colours, 'pasturi' or clay, with which I spent most of time playing in my father's workshop. Luckily I was greatly encouraged by my parents and from the young age of 6 years I began to attend private art tuition to improve my artistic abilities and acquire new skills. Formal art tuition began at the age of 11 under the well-known Maltese artist Harry Alden, who still today is my main master.

But who is Victor Agius today? I am a twenty-four year old Gozitan from Xaghra, a teacher by profession, teaching Art and Physical Education in Malta. In the last six years, I have established myself in Malta mainly due to my studies at the University of Malta and my work both of which have helped me and given me more opportunities and knowledge where art is concerned.

During my studies the focus was mainly on history of art, which is fundamental, and though I had the opportunity to experience new media and techniques, I felt constrained and controlled since what I did was confined to what was required for credits and portfolios. As soon as I graduated I adopted a different attitude towards art and I felt a sense of freedom, autonomy and choice. I became my own master and art became a free expression of my innermost self.

In fact I began to work for two solo exhibitions which I held in my mother island, Gozo. Gaulos, the earliest exhibition of my works to the public, had landscapes as its theme but these were limited to Gozitan spots represented in an impressionistic idiom. Last December, I gave a different repertoire since I now moved to a set of abstract paintings complemented with a number of ceramic sculptures all linked with the iconography of Christ's nativity. Besides this, I also exhibited my works in various collective exhibitions and today I have a number of works in prestigious international art museums in Rome and Pennsylvania and in private collections in Paris, Berlin and London.

This confirms that art was even then a priority in my life and is still so today.

Victor Agius’ exhibition Islands Unveiled may be viewed throughout July at Cleland & Souchet, Portomaso. It is open for public viewing until 31 July. The opening hours are from Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm and from 4 to 8pm and on Saturdays from 10.30am to 1pm and from 4 to 8pm. Islands Unveiled will be re-launched at Gallery Art.e in Victoria, Gozo during September. For more info visit www.victoragius.com or call on 79594508.