Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545966
My essentials JP MIGNECO 37, visual artist Born in Malta in 1989, I am a multidisciplinary artist based in St Paul's Bay. Holding Fine Arts degrees from MCAST and the University of Malta, my practice spans painting, photography, drawing, and sculpture, exploring the dialogue between natural and artificial forms. Alongside my artistic practice, I lead art workshops and undertake art and design commissions. I have exhibited in Malta and internationally, including in Valletta and Vienna, and I am currently developing new work for my next solo exhibition, planned for 2027. 1. Book 2.TV 3.TV 4. Music 5. Place MUSIC is an essential part of my studio routine, and I enjoy exploring a wide range of genres while I work. My favourite Maltese musicians are Benji Cachia and Mato, who are also close friends, and I recently had the pleas- ure of designing Benji's lat- est album cover. If I had to choose one album above all others, it would be Mid- night Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest. I never tire of its fusion of jazz and hip hop, which continues to inspire me. I enjoy exploring differ- ent parts of the Maltese and Gozitan coastline, and many of these places have become an important source of inspiration for my work. One location that has stayed with me is Il-Blata tal-Melħ, whose striking landscape left a lasting im- pression. Its unique tex- tures, colours, and natural formations inspired a series of paintings that I created for my 2023 solo exhibition at Valletta Contemporary. Spending time in these en- vironments often sparks ideas that later develop in the studio. I often return to Man and His Symbols by Carl Jung, a book that has remained a constant source of inspira- tion since I first bought it over a decade ago. Written to introduce Jung's ideas to a wider audience, it con- tinues to resonate with me through both its text and imagery. I'm drawn to the way it explores the relation- ship between the conscious and unconscious, and I fre- quently find new ideas with- in its pages that influence my creative process. EYES Wide Shut is a film that I have watched a few times, and I recently watched a short documentary about its making. I think it's one of Stanley Kubrick's strong- est films, and its themes feel more relevant today than they did when it was released in 1999. It's quite a disturb- ing film, but every aspect of it stands out, from the direction and performances to the cin- ematography, dialogue, and soundtrack. I always notice something new each time I watch it. I watch a lot of documenta- ries on YouTube, covering a wide range of subjects, but I'm especially drawn to those about art. Many of my favourites are produced by the BBC, and I often revis- it David Hockney's Secret Knowledge and A History of Art in Three Colours. Both have influenced my practice in different ways over the years, offering fresh perspec- tives on artistic techniques, materials, and the history of image-making that continue to shape how I approach my work. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com 4 5 1 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 JULY 2026 ALMANAC 3 2