It is always highly inspiring to see how a veteran artist’s art has transformed and morphed over the years without losing neither its soul nor its presence. Marika Azzopardi writes
Viewing the current exhibition of works by the Italian artist Luciano Schifano, is one such experience, especially when the viewing is accompanied by a detailed rendez-vous from the artist himself as I catch him at the venue just one day after the exhibition’s official launch night.
The exhibition is one of the highlights in a series of major events being held at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce to celebrate the 160th anniversary from its inception. The Society, which has its official seat at Palazzo de la Salle, one of Valletta’s most beautiful historic buildings, has seen major changes during the past years, not least being the intense restoration and conservation projects which have helped embellish the palazzo and render back its dignity and demeanour.
The exhibition whose title in the Italian language can best be translate to – ‘I know, how I am and how I shall be’, includes 35 works in all, between paintings, sculptures and other objects of note. Amongst the exhibits are a number of publications which the artist has chosen to donate to the Society.
Born in Libya, Schifano was highly inspired by the works and findings of his father, the Italian archaeologist Umberto Schifano. The art created by Schifano echoes the vibrant colours of the Mediterranean which are intensified by a splendid use mostly of oils and occasionally in tempera. His works are characterised by glorious warm colours that radiate simplicity and elegance that in combination typify his enthusiastic character.
Some of the earliest works on exhibit date back to the 1960s when in a rather surrealist stance, Schifano tackles mundane topics such as ‘Cavallo’ or ‘Bimbo tra il verde’ with utter ease of execution. The early works also include a series of small paintings created in the 1970s. These are accompanied by signed documents which authenticate and identify each work and its originality with the artist’s signature and fingerprint consolidating the entire certification.
Over the years, Schifano’s works became somewhat more contained so that his still-life ‘Vaso con fiori’ of 1970 is rather less sombre that his 2004 ‘Cesto con frutta’. Whether at work on a still-life or on a paesaggio of many colours, Schifano claims that it is always and perennially oils which allow the artist to really claim his own artistry. “I have never really used acrylics because this is relatively a new medium and its longevity and durability in time has still not been proven simply because it has not been around long enough. Oils on the other hand, have a long and settled history which can be traced back in a dependable manner. The medium is strong enough to endure time and its tribulations, and I feel happier using it than any other I have tried so far.”
On display, apart from his paintings, are two unique sculptures which ably grace the courtyard of Palazzo de la Salle – both sculptures echo a sense of folklore, mystery and quaint simplicity, especially considering the vibrant colours and gold leaf with which mundane materials such as papier-mâché, cloth and threads are embellished. Then there are a series of Schifano’s several artistic commissions, achievements which have added value and prestige to his work. His designs have appeared on Italian national lottery tickets, on the labels and presentation cases of fine wines, as well as on promotional calendars and commemorative posters . He was invited to create a very particular pack design for the renown Italian chocolatier Perugina in 1971-1972 and on a different stance, he executed the unique design of the drapery for the Palio di Siena in 1997. On display are also visuals linked to the projects executed by Schifano in relation to the 7th centenary of the Florentine Basilica of Santa Croce in 1994. A year later, in 1995, Schifano created and saw installed the stained glass windows within the very same Basilica, with successfully minimalist designs based on themes lifted from the story of St Francis of Assisi, whose figure has been an inspirational one in Schifano’s life.
All in all, the entire exhibition is a living document of an artist’s life lived to the full with art that has been brought to life on several fronts and in more ways than one. Certainly the works of Schifano presented in an intense nutshell, are due to be of great inspiration to younger artists who are just endeavouring to start their career. All the works displayed are vivid proof that art can be manifested in so many diverse manners all throughout one artist’s life-time.
Sò: come sono, e come sarò - exhibition of works by Luciano Schifano. Open at the Malta Society of Arts, , Palazzo de la Salle, 219 Republic Street, Valletta. Open until 31 July – Monday to Saturday 08.30am – 12.30pm. The exhibition is curated by E.V.Borg.