WHEN WORDS AREN’T ENOUGH

Photo - Tonio Lombardi

Founder of Inka Workshop, Daphne Bugeja immortalises architectural landmarks in her simple line drawings stimulating the visual mind and creating connections to the real world. Her sketches are particularly relevant in today’s climate of overdevelopment, forcing viewers to look beyond development and beyond greed. The intense detail in every piece allows the viewer to appreciate the grandeur of architectural pieces from the past whilst creating awareness to preserve and conserve our heritage.

Daphne completed a degree in architecture from The University of Malta in 2013 and furthered her studies at Politechnico di Milano in Italy, sparking her inspiration to draw pieces of architectural value, where she settled into an artistic niche. Studying architecture helped Daphne to develop free hand sketching. “Through a lightweight effect, created using free hand line drawings, I aim to better understand the complexity of architecture, and paradoxically break it down into simple lines and shapes,” she said.

For Daphne, sketching was always an essential medium to use when words weren’t enough, invoking the message that architectural treasures of the past need to be preserved as an expression of our own cultural heritage. The two-dimensional sketches examine urban cityscapes she's visited both locally and abroad, allowing viewers a glimpse into an unreal world, forcing them to stop for a moment and break away from the common momentum. “Typically, architects and designers use two-dimensional images to communicate their concepts to clients and builders before creating their masterpieces. Breaking down architecture into simple geometry, using one simple medium (ink) and contrasting colours (black and white), illustrating some architectural masterpieces leaving a deeply felt intimacy with the skylines of the places I draw.”

Though her artworks focus on architectural structures overseas as well as locally, it is the Maltese landmarks that are closest to her heart. Rich in cultural heritage, she hopes her drawings will shine a light on the conservation of architectural treasures, preserving them for future generations. When words escape her, she finds that the best way to express her message is through ink. “We can never fully appreciate the grandeur of our architecture until we draw it!”

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