Ten years of art is George Farrugia’s fourth personal exhibition. Coinciding exactly with Farrugia’s 60th birthday, this exhibition is featuring 60 pieces of work, which are grouped in three different sections; paintings from privately-owned collections, a selection from Farrugia’s personal collection and 20 new exclusive paintings, some of which are for sale.

Although Farrugia’s first interest in art dates back to 1963, when he attended art lessons by veteran artist George Fenech, he had to put aside his artistic aspirations to pursue his scientific studies and later to establish and run his own small business. In the 1990s he attended several art lessons under various renowned artists and enrolled as an external art student with Scranton School, Pennsylvania, USA, from which he obtained very promising results.

However, in spite of the experience gained throughout all these years, Farrugia considers the year 2000 to be the onset of his artistic career. Following his retirement from business, he immediately took the opportunity to delve further into art studies where he experimented with various media and techniques until he discovered his own personal style. This enabled Farrugia to establish himself within the art community. Whereas in the past he took part in joint exhibtions, now Farrugia had enough time to work on his own solo exhibitions.

In 2002, Farrugia presented his works in Exposure, his first personal exhibition held at the Messina Palace, Valletta which was closely followed by Energie Und Harmonie in 2003, in Adenau, Germany. A watercolour exhibition entitled Colours in Water was presented at the Corte Capitanale in Mdina in 2006. Quoting the late art critic, Emanuel Fiorentino, this fresh and nature-abounding exhibition offered “a ready source of visual satisfaction for the spectator” while describing Farrugia as possessing “a good mastery of the watercolour medium, which is handled quite directly, proficiently and meticulously”.

Throughout his studies in different media, Farrugia also explored sculpturing in plaster, ceramics and other metals. During this time, he worked extensively on one particular sculpture which he worked in zinc, stainless steel and copper. This sculpture, which was finally executed in solid brass, was entitled Unite with which Farrugia wanted to convey the message of “unity within the society”, which is to his belief “lacking from every sphere and level of mankind”. Unite obtained the first award in the eighth National Art Competition organised by the Malta Society of Art, Manufacturers and Commerce, in October 2009.

This sculpture, together with Farrugia’s other works, is on display at the Art Academy Gallery, 131 Constitution Street, Mosta until 11 March.

Ten years of art is supported by the Art Academy and Entertainment.com.mt