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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 APRIL 2022 4 ART Gabriel Buttigieg attempts to 'deconstruct social narratives' with latest exhibition LAURA CALLEJA speaks to artist Gabriel Buttigieg on his latest exhibition, 'The Four Seasons – A Ref lection of Archetypal Imagery' at Space 38 in Valletta What is the inspiration behind the exhibition entitled 'The Four Seasons'? The exhibition takes a bold, contemporary stance and at- tempts to deconstruct social narratives. Themes related to mythology, symbolism, and ar- chetypes are explored through metaphorical representations. Each painting will highlight my take on the personality, on hu- manity, and on the cycle of life. The female body once again as- sumes centre stage in a dream- like representation. Tell us about the medium of choice for this exhibition Despite the fact that I am ex- tremely loyal to drawing and painting, in this exhibition I wanted to focus on an applied approach to painting. A merg- ing of media was my main prerogative. The exhibition incorporates art, sound, video, and literature, which support a holistic sensorial experience. This was possible with the help of Sarah Chircop, who handled the video projections, the au- thors who supported the paint- ings with a literary piece, and Justine Balzan Demajo, who curated the exhibition. Who are your biggest artistic influences? I find it very difficult to sepa- rate life from my work, so the biggest influence is definite- ly my father, who is my main mentor in life. I find artistic in- spiration from various fields of study, be it psychology, music, film, or literature. Daily human contact is also a source of in- spiration for me. I cannot of course fail to mention the great artists who have made their mark on the art world and on my understanding of art, both those of the classical era, as well as more contemporary ones. Among the latter ones, I favour artists such as David Hockney, Tracey Emin, and Jenny Saville. What motivates you to cre- ate? My motivation to create has been present throughout my life, hence teasing out what the origin of such a call is may not be so linear. Many things have captivated me throughout my life, often without consciously thinking about them. However, currently I can say I am moti- vated by existential concerns which the human condition naturally brings with it, such as the impermanence of life and primitive sensuality. I am mo- tivated by a hunger to work, to produce a legacy of art for fu- ture generations. When is your favourite time of day to create? This very much depends on the day in question. At times, I paint in the mornings, after my usual cup of coffee and after settling down to the vibe of my studio. At other times, I prefer the stillness of the night, where I can create without intrusion, always in the company of my dog. What is important is the ritualistic element I adopt when approaching the whole process of painting, with the initial moment of the experi- ence, and the very end, creating in me a mixture of indecision, apprehension, and frustration. These emotions I consider to be essential elements in my creative development, together with the need to risk and re- flect. 'A Reflection of Archetypal Imagery' will take place from 8th April till the 15th April at a new temporary space 38, Triq Lvant, Valletta. The exhibition had to be postponed due to the visit of Pope Francis. This ex- hibition is sponsored by NM Group, Nexos Lighting, Bloom Creative, R Lautier Natural Stone Workshop, Farrugia In- vestments, Andre Gialanze Photography and M. Demajo Wines and Spirits.