Sculptor Anton Agius, known nationally for a number of monuments around Malta and Gozo, passed away on Sunday evening at the age of 74.

His monuments include the Workers’ Monument in Msida, the monument to ‘Dun Mikiel Scerri u Shabu’ in Valletta, the 31 March, 1979 monument at Vittoriosa, the Manwel Dimech statue at Valletta, and the Sette Giugno Riots monument, also in Valletta.

Agius commenced his art apprenticeship under the guidance of Joseph Galea. He continued his studies at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacturers, and Commerce, and at the School of Arts under the tuition of George Borg. He later furthered his studies at the Scuola del Nudo dell’Associazione Artistica Internazionale, Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome and at St Martin’s School of Art in London.

Agius, who lived in Rabat, had also served as art teacher in secondary schools, lecturer at the University of Malta, examiner for Oxford ‘O’ Level ceramics and member of the Malta Aesthetics Board. He was also the winner of several prizes including the first prize in the 1968 Human Rights Exhibition and second prize of the First International Art Biennale in Malta of 1995.

In comments to this newspaper, Peter Paul Ciantar, a close friend of Agius, said that the sculptor’s favourite art form had been wood-carving from tree bark while his most beloved creation was the Crucifix at the Kerygma Chapel.

Crucifix carving was Agius’ favourite art form because he used to say that the world had always made him suffer, Mr Ciantar said. Agius had been very sensitive to suffering people and animals, so he was very dramatic in his works.

Mr Ciantar explained how Agius used to express himself by means of his art and that it used to make him forget his pain.

While suffering from illness for the past years, Agius continued to sculpt and meet Mr Ciantar regularly on Sunday mornings at Rabat and Mdina until around one month ago when his illness took a turn for the worse.

A statement issued by the Nationalist Party yesterday, said that the death of Anton Agius “will leave a void in our country’s artistic and cultural sector,” meanwhile his “heritage will be enjoyed by future generations.”

Anton was survived by his wife Louise and son Anton.

Funeral Mass will take place at Ta’ Giezu Church at Rabat this afternoon at 4.