You are a very well established artist. You have had numerous exhibitions. When did your artistic journey take off?

I had my first solo exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts when I was 23 years old. 

You have also done studies in Philosophy. Do you think they were useful in your artistic journey?

I have a Masters degree in Philosophy from the UoM. I was also awarded a long term scholarship to study in Florence. 

Is art in your DNA? Do you have other artists in your family?

Not in my immediate family, though my paternal grandmother was Sciortino.

There is a link to Antonio Sciortino. Did you ever have a mentor?

Probably my painting instructor the late Professor Joseph Briffa is the closest I had to a mentor.  

What is your favourite and least favourite aspect of being an artist?

I love the creative side of my work and enjoy working on commissions. I also ran a studio where I taught painting and drawing for many years. I have to work in a clean studio and can't seem to start working if the place is in a mess. 

Any world famous artist/s you particularly admire?

That changes quite frequently. At the moment I'm discovering Berthe Morisot, the French impressionist. There are many. Antonio Mancini and Favretto are amongst my alltime favourites. 

Any Maltese artist you particularly admire?

I mentioned Antonio Sciortino. There are many who are my contemporaries such as Noel Galea Bason, Goxwa, Kenneth Zammit Tabona. I'm particularly fond of Carmelo Mangion.

What is the best advice you have been given when it comes to art?

When I was awarded a scholarship I had just finished my first degree. My close friends encouraged me to take the plunge and later to work as a fulltime painter. That wasn't easy but running a studio gave me a wealth of experience not just in painting but in managing a small business.

What do you think is the role of Art in society today?

It all depends. There are so many schools of thought in the art world today. I think a work of art has to move the spectator enough to want to learn more about both the work and the artist. That is my personal view. In a mass media age painting and sculpture had a very different function than they have today. Crowds would flock to exhibitions in the way they are attracted to the Cannes Film Festival. Today there is the Venice Biennale. The messages in art are powerfully expressed. Anselm Kieffes work comes to mind. 

What was your inspiration for Vanishing Point, your present exhibition? 

Vanishing Point is a contemporary contemplation on our environment. I have used mythological figures such as Calypso to highlight the destruction we face.  Our builtup heritage is undermined and outdoor spaces are slowly but steadily diminishing.  

Can you tell us something about the paintings? 

I address different issues, such as communication and festive events; there is mention of Valletta and urban life in a series of paintings, the problems facing our environment namely in a painting titled Calypso in Gozo and others. 

NOW FOR SOME QUESTIONS TO ALLOW US TO GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

Anything connected to the sea.

What is it that you most dislike?

Large crowds and traffic.

Do you have a code that you live by?

To tread gently and not to hurt others.

What is your favourite journey?

I've spent my entire adult life visiting collections and museums of art. Travel with this scope has been my focus though a journey through words can be just as vivid, real and thought provoking.

Vanishing Point, a solo exhibition by Madeleine Gera at the Palm Court Lounge, The Phoenicia Malta from 4 to 30 October.