An exhibition of abstract oil paintings by the Gozitan artist Godwin Cutajar was recently held at the 798 Ahead Gallery in Dashanzi District, Beijing. The exhibition was opened by Malta’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Karl Xuereb.

Commenting on the events to a local TV station, the Ambassador stated that “this is the first such event that the Embassy has worked on since I took office last year. The level of interest shown is extremely encouraging and we look forward to supporting such events in the future as part of a programme of cultural exchange. I believe that such exchanges are fundamental in terms of improving the understanding between the Maltese and Chinese peoples”.

Godwin Cutajar is an accomplished artist. He was born in Victoria in 1965 and studied artifact conservation at the Istituto Italiano Arte, Artigianato e Restauro (1988-1990) in Rome and later at the Istituto Centrale del Restauro (1990-1993). His training includes conservation work on masterpieces such as the Arch of Constantine, the Pantheon, the 14th century frescoes by Giotto at the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, the 15th century frescoes by Masolino and Masaccio at San Clemente in Rome.

He paints in oil colours on canvas, and from childhood, painted in the figurative style, evolving gradually to abstract painting towards the end of the 1980’s.

The embassy in Beijing assisted the artist with the selection of the gallery, promotion and logistics. The exhibition was also on display at the Malta National Day Reception and as a sponsor of the event, Emirates Airline provided assistance in the transport of the works of art.