What is an artist's identity? How is it built, and what makes one artist different from another? These are the questions Patrick Galea explores in his latest exhibition, An Artist's Identity, that will be held at the Xara Palace in Mdina, from today 19th September - 10th October.
Galea is a well-established painter. His work is known for its bright, bold colours and his focus on the local landscapes. He often brings an experimental approach to his painting and does not shy away from exploring new material and technologies. This new exhibition continues to move along these lines, while also hinting at new directions to come. I have followed Galea's work closely for over a decade and have always been struck by how enthusiastic he is to show me his latest painting. Having spent a long time in the company of various artists I can assure you that that is not often the case.
Galea is an avid story teller and in his studio/home every corner is filled with objects that have some fascinating story behind them, a story that Patrick is normally very happy to share. I believe that this element of collecting, over an extended period of time, shapes the way Galea sees and understands the world. Through this body of work, I was immediately transported to pondering about the notion of collecting as part of artistic identity.
Collecting, like painting or drawing, involves judgement and taste. It shapes what an artist chooses to keep, and what they leave out. Galea's identity as an artist has been shaped by the environment he has built around him. His family, friends, artistic influences, colleagues and ex-students have influenced his outlook, and been shaped by him in return. He is also a devoted collector of objects. These include art, antiques, design pieces, toys and games, plus odd items others might call junk. Texture, shape, colour, and personal/historical relevance all guide his choices.
These influences feed directly and tangibly into his painting. An Artist's Identity may be his widest exhibition yet in terms of subject matter. It ranges from a houseplant beside his studio easel, to the atmosphere at the Feast of Santa Maria and St Joseph's feast in Rabat. There are also the more familiar landscapes, but these are joined by dreamscapes and symbolic landscape works, seen in Pillage and Religious Connections Xaqq Dawl. Narcis and Snap Dragons Papocci evolve from his botanical depictions and are painted in an almost patterned style, recalling rich embroidery. Meanwhile, Lemons in Landscape, Sea View and Mirror View, done in collaboration with AI, take a more experimental approach to landscape. They suggest a new evolution in Galea's ongoing body of work. An Artist's Identity offers a rare chance to see how one painter defines himself. It shows this both through his art, and through what he chooses to keep close.
Dr Matthew Galea
Dean Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences
Head of Department of Digital Arts