The Malta Independent 14 February 2025, Friday
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Nostalgia and heritage in the art of Zepp Cassar and Don Heywood

Sunday, 2 February 2025, 08:54 Last update: about 13 days ago

Louis LaganĂ 

"A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational and economic legacies - all of the things that quite literally make us who we are" - Steve Berry (American author and novelist)

The forthcoming joint art exhibition by Zepp Cassar and Don Heywood promises an evocative exploration of identity, memory and cultural heritage. Set to open next month, this much-anticipated showcase will highlight the unique artistic journeys of these two celebrated artists.

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Zepp Cassar: The doodler turned master artist

Cassar's story begins in Malta, where as a young boy, he nurtured an innate passion for art. He doodled on sand, his knees, and any surface available, creating a visual dictionary of the world around him. Migrating to Australia 35 years ago, Cassar maintained a deep connection with his homeland through regular visits. These trips shaped his artistic sensibilities, blending Maltese nostalgia with his Australian experiences.

Cassar's art is deeply rooted in memories of Malta's cultural tapestry, much of which is vanishing. Through vibrant colours and expressive forms, he celebrates aspects of Maltese life, such as village markets, festive foods and traditional trades. His works capture scenes of fruit vendors, housewives selecting produce and fishermen selling Lampuki during the season. This bittersweet homage - what he refers to as swied ta' qalb (sweet sadness) - echoes the Portuguese concept of saudade, a profound longing he encountered during a Brazilian residency.

Cassar's work is not just a nostalgic journey; it is a call to preserve cultural heritage. His dynamic use of colour reflects a celebration of the past, transforming personal angst and hyperactivity into creative energy. His art has fascinated audiences worldwide, with exhibitions in cities such as Sydney, Paris, Rome, Shanghai and New York, and his pieces are included in prestigious collections like St James Cavalier in Malta and the Outsider Art Museum in Bègles, France.

 

Don Heywood: A lifetime of art and reflection

Heywood's artistic career spans decades, with exhibitions across London, Paris, New York and Washington. Specialising in portraits and wildlife, Heywood's skill has earned him prestigious commissions, including portraits of tennis stars for Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club, officers of the Household Cavalry for Windsor Barracks and the late Queen Elizabeth II for the British Embassy in South Africa. His talent was recognised in Paris with a Mention Honourable by the Beaux-Arts at the Grand Palais, and in Washington, the Smithsonian Institution commissioned him to paint 12 endangered species. This collaboration culminated in a one-man show at Cartier Fifth Avenue in New York, which is the most expensive jewellery shop in New York. Copies of his coffee table books are housed in the Royal Library at Windsor.

Heywood's connection to Malta dates back to the late 1960s, and his memories of the island deeply influence his art. He recalls the unique painted buses, hand-decorated trucks and wooden balconies that once defined Malta's landscape but are now disappearing. His paintings also reflect the charm of traditional Maltese life, from brightly painted luzzu fishing boats, the wooden Maltese window/balconies, which sadly are vanishing to be replaced by buildings which could be found anywhere in Europe.

Heywood's encounters with Malta's wildlife, including a rare sighting of the Maltese peregrine falcon, and cultural events, such as witnessing Pope John Paul II's visit from the balcony of Phoenicia Hotel, while he was visiting Malta left indelible impressions.

Two poignant moments from recent years further highlight his nostalgic connection to Malta. In 2017, Heywood witnessed the arrival of 12 wild swans at the Nadur dam in Gozo, a rare and fleeting event that evoked memories of his native England. Later that year, the iconic Azure Window collapsed into the sea, symbolising the impermanence of cherished landmarks.

The artist is not only a well-known painter and illustrator of many animals which are becoming extinct around the globe but also a conservationist and lover of nature. His last personal art exhibition was held in 2022 at the Hotel Phoenicia Malta where he presented a series of paintings about the important migratory birds and other rare species we find on the Maltese islands. He also included three large paintings of two endangered species of wild animals: the Snow Leopard and the Polar Bear.

 

A collaboration to remember

While Cassar's vibrant and memory-laden works will provide a rich cultural dialogue, Heywood's contributions to the exhibition promise an equally compelling narrative. Together, their collaboration highlights the universal power of art to bridge distances, both geographical and emotional.

The exhibition's preparation has spanned two years, ensuring an experience that is both immersive and deeply personal. Audiences can expect a journey through time and space, rooted in shared histories and enriched by unique perspectives.

Mark your calendars for what promises to be a celebration of creativity, heritage and the enduring spirit of cultural preservation. This joint exhibition is not to be missed.

 

The exhibition will run from 17 to 21 February between 10am and 8pm at the Caritas Community Centre, Triq Mountbatten, Hamrun. 


Professor Louis Laganà PhD (Lough) is an academic, art historian and practicing artist

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