G
EORGE
F
ARRUGIA
BIO & ARTWORKS
MARY ATTARD
GEORGE FARRUGIA BIO & ARTWORKS
Mary Attard 2022
“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art... ...Emotion is the starting point, the beginning and the end. Craftsmanship and techniques are in the middle.” Paul Cézanne
GEORGE FARRUGIA BIO & ARTWORKS
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DEDICATION to his Family
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above: George in his early studio (2000) previous page: Farmhouse at Dwejra. Coloured pencils
CONTENTS
Foreword by Lino Borg
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Who is George Farrugia? by Mary Attard
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10
What is Art to Me? by George Farrugia
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14
Paintings ... Sculptures ... Miscellaneous ...
15 103 113
Exhibitions and Media
...
122
Testimonials ...
127
Credits & About Author
128
8
Catalogue
...
Foreword by Lino Borg It is my pleasure and honour to write this Foreword on the artist George Farrugia. I have known the artist for several years, meeting often in the vernissage of exhibitions, where I discovered that apart from our mutual love for art, we both shared a common initiation in art. Like myself, Farrugia received his secondary education at St Joseph Secondary School at Corradino in Paola. Back then, the school was a unique experiment, with a varied curriculum that enriched its students with a good and solid preparation in both academic and technical subjects. Art was given an important role, and the school could boast of having amongst its teaching staff some of the best contemporary artists on the Island. Like myself, Farrugia had George Fenech as one of his art teachers. Fenech, a formidable artist and a great colourist, had the ability to explain complex artistic and aesthetic problems in a very simple and poetic way that students could easily grasp and assimilate. His lessons did not merely stop in the art room, but he had warmly opened the door to his studio in Mellieħa to his pupils. With his unique way of teaching, which offered the teenage students a direct and first-hand experience with art works, he managed to share and instil in them his great love for art, nature, and the Maltese culture. Through his teachings, Fenech has instilled a passion for art in his numerous students, including Farrugia.
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In the prevailing social circumstances of the time, when jobs were not so abundant, on completing his secondary education, Farrugia found employment as a Laboratory Technician. This primary need restricted him to concentrate on science rather than art. Time, however, did not reduce Farrugia`s passion for art and after a career working in the science field, and later as a small business entrepreneur, he took the decision to return to his deeper call and feverishly pursued his artistic studies once again, attending private tuition and enrolling at the Scranton School in Pennsylvania, USA as an external student. He also attended art lessons run by Anton Calleja and Eman Grima.
Farrugia’s inquisitive mind led him to experiment in different mediums, painting, ceramics, and sculpture. His painting oeuvre includes oils, acrylics, and water colours. His two-dimensional works are figurative and are inspired by his love and keen observation of Mother Nature. The subject matter varies from still-life, landscape, seascapes, floral studies, portraiture, and the human figure. Although it seems that water colour is his forte, acrylic and oil colour comprise a substantial part of his collection. Farrugia does not restrict himself to one style; even within the same medium he varies his paint application. Each work for him is a new adventure. On the contrary to his paintings, Farrugia’s sculptural works are nonfigurative; these are often constructed of two or three abstract masses juxtaposed together to create a three-dimensional plastic form that in its simplicity conveys the artist’s concept. The book presents the reader with a good cross-section of George Farrugia’s art. It will surely serve as an inspiration to art lovers, and a welcomed addition to all Melitensia lovers.
George discussing his art with Lino
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Who is George Farrugia? It was in 1950 in Qormi, that Anthony and Mary (nee Borg) had their fourth child George. In total the family had 6 boys and two girls. It was a family of craftsmen and the father was a pioneer in introducing in Malta bakery cabins which were drawn by horses around the villages distributing bread. Later on, the sons set up a well-established industry of horse sulkys (srieken). But George took another route. From a very tender age, between five to eight, he was exposed to an artist and sculptor, Chev. Emanuel Borg Gauci (1911-1991) - known in Qormi as Leringu. He would spend endless hours just sitting on a tiny stool, doing nothing but gaze at the artist while he was mixing paints or plaster of Paris to cast his sculptures. The smell of turpentine and linseed oil, together
with the vision of the cluttered studio, mesmerised him. At the age of thirteen George attended art classes by the late George Fenech at St Joseph Secondary Technical School. George Fenech’s calmness and charisma while assembling a still life or repeatedly arranging his props, became an unforgettable experience for young George Farrugia. However, life has diverted his choices towards science, as at that time Art was not deemed important by his parents. He was encouraged to study chemistry, physics and biology which he also happened to enjoy. He would later work as an analyst at the Chatillon Malta Ltd. followed by a spell as a laboratory technician in a secondary school.
George with his family: Nanette, Jeanette and wife Doris 10
Having a wife, Doris (née Spiteri) and two girls, Nannette and Jeanette to support, George decided to venture out into his own business which he successfully ran for several years,
George’s brothers who ran the only sulky business in Malta
One type of sulky produced
Top and right: Carmel Farrugia (brother of George) with one of his latest works (2020) 11
until unexpected events led him to stop prematurely. It was only then that he really had a chance to go back to his original strong artistic passion and finally giving it the right space in his life. Always eager to learn, George now pursued his dream by taking several art courses with significant artists such as Eman Grima and Anton Calleja. At the same time, he completed his studies as an external student at Scranton School, Pennsylvania, USA. He could finally dedicate his time to the things he most loved which was painting full time and taking part in several collective exhibitions. He also held four personal exhibitions: Exposure in Valletta in 2002, Energie und Harmonie in Adenau, Germany in 2003, Colours in Water in Mdina in 2006, and Ten years of Art in 2010 at the Art Academy in Mosta. In 2017 he participated in Fabbriano Watercolour Festival along with a handful of Malta’s best watercolourists. George’s forte is in watercolour but he has a lot of works in acrylic and oils too. One can see the variety of his works by searching YouTube: George Farrugia Artist – Int min Int – Flora Tanti. His favorite themes are anything connected with Maltese culture, landscapes, flowers and marine subjects. He also has an affinity to portraits. Besides painting, George also tried his talent in other different media such as ceramic, gesso and metal. In 2009 he was awarded the first prize by the Malta
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Unite - sculpture that won George 1st Prize at the Malta Society of Arts in 2009
Society of Arts in the 8th National Art Competition held at Palazzo de la Salle, Valletta with a brass sculpture Unite. The late Art Critic Emanuel Fiorentino described him as “one of the Maltese artists who immediately strikes you as being consumed by his love for nature.” Around 2005 George started his art teaching carrier and taught at the
Art Academy in Mosta for 9 years followed by courses in watercolour at VeeGeeBee in San Ġwann. George diverted his teachings later on to his private studio. In ten years he taught over 650 students with quite a few getting top marks in their Matsec exams. His philosophy is that the aim of a teacher should be to bring out the best potential from every student and strike a collaborative mutual understanding between teacher and student to reach this end. He believes that a good teacher is one that can deliver the most of what he knows to his students. Better than a CV, are critiques coming from a genuine student, a scholar and an established writer. Such comments were: George is more than a teacher... A humble teacher that is an honest seeker who can become your best friend… His knowledge is not poured down to his students, but he flows with them instead, trying to understand what they resonate with, what their passion is, respect it and cultivate it… He does not want you to become good at the things he likes most, but he wants you to become the best in what you love…
George enjoying his farming time together with his young grandchild Nikol
That is why his students not only become better artists, but also better human beings. When art meets life and colours touch souls, the miracle happens and everything becomes a masterpiece in movement. In his later years, his love of nature has been extended to farming and beekeeping which both reflect and extend his creative bent. He now enjoys being a grandfather to young Nikol – the son of one of his daughters, Jeanette - who already shows an artistic bent. Mary Attard May 2022
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What is Art to Me? The value of a piece of art differs according to whom is analysing it. Art collectors, dealers and investors certainly have different agendas from those of the artist himself. While the artist has placed his heart and soul into his artwork, the dealers and investors see the same piece of artwork as a monetary value and whether it is a good investment.
I do believe that Art is a very subjective matter and that various forces and circumstances influence art.
Ilia Galan, the Spanish author and professor of Humanities, in his book Prejudices of Contemporary Art: An analysis from Romantic Thought, writes, “Often the authorship of the work is valued more than the work itself”.
Personally, I tend to navigate through various mediums and styles rather than stick to one particular medium or particular style. Often, the subject matter dictates what I will use as a medium, whether oils, acrylic, pen and ink or even sculpture. Same with the style to be adopted.
He continues, “Some ‘Modern Art‘ is also trying to present us with what was ugly, absurd, destructive, and meaningless as Beauty.” Mr. Galan goes on to explain, in his speech he delivered at the University of Malta (27 February, 2013), that, “…Market gives value to art pieces, not artistic value - and Modern Art is trying to make us find Beauty in things that never were Beauty.“ By this I do not want to convey the idea that Modern Art is all unacceptable. Man is continuously evolving and so is his Art. Yet, I feel, that some contemporary artists are dipping their brush in the money that potentially surround their work, rather than in their soul to paint their own authentic self, as the American clergyman, Henry Ward Beecher puts it. Time, eras, wars, and special events are all instrumental in creating new subject matter, styles and mediums and therefore, enhanced artistic awareness. 14
What truly matters to me as an artist is that one is original and authentic, whether his art is visual, musical, auditory or any kind of creation executed by the artist.
This versatility on how I approach art helped me throughout my years of teaching Art. My students were trained in many mediums which helped them to progress in their own right according to their preferences and abilities. Recently another kind of creation is occupying my time and energies. I am passionately transforming a piece of abandoned plot of land surrounded by open countryside into a peaceful haven where I can recharge myself. It is proving to be an inspiration to me for capturing in paint the lovely surrounding countryside in all its moods. George Farrugia
P
aintings 15
Dwejra in Spring. Water colour sketch
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Landscapes
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Ir-Razzett tan-Nemlu, Selmun. Watercolour 18
Gozo Farmhouse. Watercolour
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Rdum Majjiesa, Mellieħa. Acrylic
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Chadwick Lakes. Acrylic 21
Ġnien Ingraw. Watercolour
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Mtaħleb Fields. Watercolour
Kerċem, Gozo. Watercolour
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‘Alley No. 7’, Valletta Road, Qormi. Watercolour
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Razzett at Dwejra. Coloured Pencils Razzett at Marsaskala. Watercolour
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Razzett at Għajn Tuffieħa. Oils on Jute Bumarrad. Watercolour
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Triq Ġlormu Cassar, Birgu. Acrylic 27
Mdina, semi-abstract. Acrylic 28
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Kappella tal-Madonna ta’ Ħal Xluq, Siġġiewi. Watercolour Girgenti. Oils En plein air
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Tourists at Mdina. Watercolour
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Mdina. Ink Valletta Skyline. Ink
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Il-Girna, Mellieħa. Acrylic Isolated room in a field, Siġġiewi. Watercolour
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Razzett in Gozo. Watercolour
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St. John’s Square, Valletta. Watercolour Razzett, Gozo. Monochrome. Watercolour
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Strada Sant’Ursula, Valletta. Acrylic
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San Ġużepp tat-Tarġa. Watercolour En plein air 38
Aix-en-Provence, France. Watercolour Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Mtaħleb. Watercolour
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Il-Qbajjar Salt Pans, Gozo. Watercolour
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Wied Qirda. Watercolour 41
Shepherd at Binġemma. Oils
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Narċis. Watercolour 44
Flora
Prickly Pears. Watercolour
Tulips. Watercolour
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Epicactus (Epiphyllum). Watercolour
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Freesia. Watercolour 47
Tulips. Watercolour
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Sunflower. Watercolour
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Strelitzia: Watercolour 50
Anemone: Watercolour
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Hope. Watercolour
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Bouquet of Flowers. Oils
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Lellux. Watercolour
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Anemone. Watercolour
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Wild Flowers. Watercolour
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Floral display in a clear glass jar. Watercolour
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Anemones. Watercolour 58
Poppies. Watercolour 59
Apples. Watercolour
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Still Life Pot with Fruit. Watercolour
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Resting Boats. Acrylic 62
Marine
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St Julian’s, impressionist approach. Acrylic
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Kajjiek at Menqa. Watercolour
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St Julian’s. Acrylic 66
Kajjiek at Menqa. Acrylic
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Boats at St. Paul’s Bay. Acrylic
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Boats at Il-Menqa, St. Paul’s Bay. Watercolour 69
Resting Boats at Thalasselin, St Pauls’s Bay. Watercolour
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Men at Work. Lapsi, Siġġiewi. Oils
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Still Life with Kitchenware. Oils 72
Still Life
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Still LIfe, semi-abstract. Acrylic
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Still Life. Acrylic
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Still Life. Watercolour 76
Still Life with Earthenware. Watercolour
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Still Life. Watercolour
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Still Life. Acrylic
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Still Life. Watercolour
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Still Life with Kitchenware. Watercolour
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Prickly Pears. Watercolour 83
Still Life with Oranges. Acrylic 84
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Mother and Child. Acrylic 86
Portraits
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Portrait of Anton Calleja. Acrylic
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Self Portrait (2015). Oils
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Study of Bob Marley. Acrylic
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Rabbi in Tunis. Watercolour
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Study of Edward Seago in monochrome. Oils
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Shepherd in Chadwick Lakes. Acrylic
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Judge David Joseph Attard. Acrylic
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Study of an Artist. Acrylic
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Portrait Study. Acrylic
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“My Grandson, Nikol and I”. Watercolour 97
Nude at Alfred Briffa’s Studio. Waterolour
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Nudes
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Nude at Anton Calleja class. Acrylic
Nude at Anton Calleja class. Acrylic
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Nude study. Acrylic 101
Nude at Alfred Briffa studio. Watercolour 102
S
culptures 103
‘Unite’. Brass (awarded First Prize in 2009 at The Malta Society of Arts Competition/Exhibition)
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‘Seaward’. Ceramics
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Spirituality and the Soul. Ceramics
106
Trilogy. Ceramics
107
The Birth of Eve. Ceramics
108
Abozzo. Limestone
109
Seated Nude. Gesso. 110
Head of a youth. Gesso
111
Candle Holder. Ceramics
112
M
iscellaneous 113
The Third Eye. Mosaic
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Cosmos. Watercolour and Mixed Media
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Nude Sketches. Pencil and Watercolour Wash
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Nude Sketches. Pencil and Watercolour Wash
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Sketch of Sitting Gentleman. (In life class at Society of Art with Harry Alden in January 1984). Pencil
Nude Sketch at Alfred Briffa studio. Pencil
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Multi-object Still Life. Ink
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Seated Male Nude at Anton Calleja’s studio. Pencil
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Exhibitions and Media 2002
Exposure at Messina Palace, Valletta
2003
Energie und Harmonie in Adenau, Germany
2006
Colours in Water in Mdina
2009
First Prize for Sculpture Unite at the 8th National Arts Competition organised by The Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de la Salle, Valletta
2010
Ten Years of Art at Art Academy, Mosta
2015 Friendship through Art - an exhibition together with 14 of his promising students at The Fortress Builders, Fortification Interpretation Centre, Valletta
Honours List Collective Exhibition at San Anton Palace, Attard on 3rd September, 2010 left to right: Ivan Fenech, Alexander Sasha, Anna Galea, George Farrugia, Charles Bonnici, Antoine Camilleri, Margaret Abela, HE President Emeritus of Malta, Dr. George Abela, Joseph Mifsud (representing the Malta Society of Arts), Carmen Pizzuto, Jude Zammit, George Muscat, Zell Ozborne 122
Times of Malta article on Exhibition commemorating “Ten years of Art“ in 2010
Educational Minister Hon. Dr. Evarist Bartolo inaugurated exhibition Friendship through Art at the Fortress Buildings, Valletta in 2015. It consisted of George’s and his students’ artworks. Here, the Minister is being shown an artwork of George 123
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Artworks by George for two book covers of the author Ingrid Beatrice Conman (Romanian Diaspora writer) George and his wife Doris with Hon. Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech MP during his 2006 exhibition entitled Colours in Water
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Testimonials Another excellent exhibition! Your love of nature and of the Maltese landscape manifests itself magnificently in your works of art. I am especially impressed by your mastery of watercolour medium.
John Camilleri Brennan (Sr)
George Farrugia is a humble and honest Art teacher that can become your best friend through Art. His knowledge is not poured down to his students, but he flows with them instead, trying to understand what they resonate with, what their passion is, respect it and cultivate it. He does not want his students to become good at things he most likes, but he wants them to become the best in what they love. Ingrid Beatrice Conman (Romanian Diaspora writer)
Technically George Farrugia possesses a good mastery of the watercolour medium, and though, perhaps, not giving to any extraneous or unorthodox effects is handled quite directly, proficiently and meticulously. Each of his watercolours becomes a ready source of visual satisfaction for the spectator, without any unnecessary frills, but enough to whet our appetite for seeking and admiring the bountiful fruits of nature.
Emmanuel Fiorentino (Art Critic)
Nature is portrayed in harmoniously balanced compositions and an array of vibrant colours in the art of George Farrugia. Prolific and versatile in various art techniques and genres, the artist bathes his works in the golden light so typical of our island. George Farrugia imbues his art with his inherent sensitivity, rendering his aesthetically beautiful works profoundly poetic.
Mariella Pisani Bencini (Meander Art and Culture)
An artists’ rendezvous between George, Joseph Casapinta and Joseph Caruana in Casapinta’s studio
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Title: George Farrugia - Bio & Artworks Cataloguing: Biography; Artists, Biographies, Melitensia Design and Layout: Mary Attard Author: Mary Attard Images: George Farrugia, Mary Attard Text: Lino Borg, Mary Attard, George Farrugia © Printed: Polidano Press Ltd ISBN No. 978-9918-0-0424-9 First published: 2022
Contact links to George Farrugia: Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/georgefarrugia-art Email: geofarr@gmail.com
About Author Mary Attard is a writer and photographer. She authored the books War Scrawls (war accounts of her father Joseph Attard), Contemplation, a photographic book with her photography, Charles A. Herbert, a Photographic Tribute 1905-1991, consisting of award winning photography of her photographic mentor, Elio Lombardi: Il-Ħajja Kreattiva Tiegħu - and diverse brochures for artists for their exhibitions. She had her multimedia artworks and photography in various collective and personal exhibitions along the years and often contributes features in the local papers. She ran a monthly column in the Sunday Times of Malta with the name of Life Hacks in 2021/22. https://timesofmalta.com/articles/author/505 https://www.facebook.com/attard.mary/ samba.mary@gmail.com 128
Nature is portrayed in harmoniously balanced compositions and an array of vibrant colours in the art of George Farrugia. Prolific and versatile in various art techniques and genres, the artist bathes his works in the golden light so typical of our island. George Farrugia imbues his art with his inherent sensitivity, rendering his aesthetically beautiful works profoundly poetic. Mariella Pisani Bencini (Meander Art and Culture)
Technically, George Farrugia possesses a good mastery of the water colour medium which, while perhaps not giving to any extraneous or unorthodox effects is handled quite directly, proficiently and meticulously. Each of his water colours becomes a ready source of visual satisfaction for the spectator, without any unnecessary frills, but enough to whet our appetite for seeking and admiring the bountiful fruits of nature. Emmanuel Fiorentino (Art Critic)
ISBN No. 978-9918-0-0424-9
2022