Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532272
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 FEBRUARY 2025 4 ALMANAC My essentials ETIENNE FARRELL 51, Full-time Creator and Artist Etienne Farrell is a nature enthusiast with a deep love for forests and open, rugged seas. One of their most cherished memories is a stay at a country cottage in the south of Ireland, nestled among ancient trees and home to a murder of crows. They fondly recall the treehouse, the crisp weather, fresh air, and evenings spent reading by the fireplace. Inspired by the quiet serenity of the area, she enjoys long walks through the forests and vast grasslands, embracing the slow- paced lifestyle of the nearby villages. 1. Books 2. Film 3. Internet/TV 4. Music 5. Place I listen to music while working because it helps to set the mood, and I usually work on several different projects at once. So lately, I've been listening to Bee- thoven and Chopin while working on some book illustrations, then mak- ing rounds between Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bring Me the Horizon, Slipknot, Deftones, and Frank Cart- er and the Rattlesnakes while creating mixed-me- dia sculptures. I love forests and I love open, rough seas. But if I had to mention one par- ticular place, it would have to be a country cottage that we rented last year in the south of Ireland, surround- ed by a grove of very old trees, home to a murder of crows. I miss the treehouse, the icy-cold weather, clean air, the evenings spent read- ing books by the fireplace, the quiet, the walks in for- ests and the vast grasslands, and the slow-paced lifestyle in the villages nearby. AS an Art History undergraduate, I used to question the supremacy of the European white male artist. Art History books and art historians, in general, have disregarded important artists, marginalising them due to gender, racial, or ethnic composi- tions. I have always been particular- ly curious about women artists. Two books I read recently, The Mirror and the Palette by Jennifer Higgie and Linda Nochlin's Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists? dis- cuss women who were independent, successful, and key contributors to the conception of artistic movements, dismissing the popular idea that 'fa- mous' female artists are so because of their affiliation with male artists. A series called Arcane, created by the French animation studio Fortiche under the supervision of Riot Games. The attention to detail is incredible. It is a unique blend of hand-painted 2D tex- tures and 3D animation, result- ing in a painterly aesthetic that feels alive. The music is cleverly interwoven within the aesthetic. The characters are strong and compelling, set in a steampunk environment, influenced by art nouveau and art deco styles. I particularly admire the stu- dio for keeping a strict stance against the use of AI in anything that has to do with the show, as a sign of respect for the artists who worked on it. I limit my time on social media, but content related to children somehow al- ways draws my attention. It saddens me that children are becoming more of an accessory, spending less time with their families and more time with car- ers or in front of screens. I am not a fan of "quality time". I believe that chil- dren should live with their families as much as possi- ble, observing, bonding, and engaging in meaning- ful conversations. We are fostering strained relation- ships and increased feel- ings of isolation. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com 4 5 1 2 3 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta