Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546283
1. What's been the most defining moment in your career so far? It's difficult to point to one defining moment because every exhibition, every painting, and every challenge has shaped my journey as an artist. However, a real turning point came when I was invited to be represented by two galleries abroad—Munich, Germany, and the other in Rome, Italy. Being repre- sented internationally was both an honour and an important milestone in my career. It allowed my work to reach new audiences and confirmed that art can transcend lan- guage, culture, and geography. It also en- couraged me to trust my own artistic instincts and remain committed to developing a visual language that is honest and deeply personal. Looking back, that experience gave me the confidence to pursue my work with even greater conviction. 2. As an artist, how do you navigate the world and speed of social media? Social media has become an important platform for sharing my work and connecting with people across the world, and I appre- ciate the opportunities it creates. At the same time, I try not to let algorithms dictate my creative rhythm. I often paint quickly because I want to capture an emotion or atmosphere while it is still alive, before it disappears. That spontaneity comes from the painting itself, not from the pressure to post regularly or chase visibility online. Algorithms reward constant engagement, but art follows a different rhythm, it requires honesty, intuition, and reflection. Trends come and go, but I believe authenticity has a lasting value, and that's what I try to remain faithful to. 3. Do you consider artificial intelligence a threat to your career, or an opportunity? I see artificial intelligence as an opportunity rather than a threat. Like many new technol- ogies, it can be an incredibly useful tool for research, organisation, and exploring ideas from different perspectives. However, I don't believe it can replace the essence of artistic creation. A painting is shaped by memory, lived experience, intuition, and emotion qualities that emerge from being human. People connect with art not only because of what they see, but because they sense the life and vulnerability behind it. That human presence is something AI cannot replicate. 4. How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during tough times or when the work feels hard? Not every day is easy, and there are times when inspiration doesn't arrive as expected. During those moments, I simply continue showing up. Even making a quick sketch, organising the studio, or spending time looking at unfinished work helps me recon- nect with the creative process. I also draw inspiration from literature, music, travel, conversations, and everyday observations. I have learned that creativity isn't always about waiting for inspiration; often, inspira- tion appears because you have continued working. Some of my strongest ideas have emerged from the quietest, most ordinary moments. 5. How do you balance your creative instincts with the expectations of your audience or collaborators? I value feedback and genuinely appreciate hearing how others respond to my work, but I believe it is essential to stay true to my artistic vision. If I begin creating primarily to satisfy expectations, I risk losing the authen- ticity that gives the work its meaning. Iron- ically, I think people connect most deeply with art when it comes from an honest place. Collaborations can be enriching because they introduce different perspectives, but they work best when there is mutual respect for each person's creative voice. 6. How do you approach a new project? Do you have a specific process or routine you follow? Every new project begins with a question, an idea, or an emotion that I feel compelled to explore. Before I paint, I spend time reading, sketching, taking photographs, collect- ing visual references, and writing notes. Research is an important part of my process because it helps me understand the subject more deeply. Once I'm in the studio, how- ever, I allow intuition to take over. I usually begin with a clear direction, but I leave space for unexpected discoveries. Some of the most meaningful moments in a painting hap- pen when the work begins to surprise me. 7. Can you let us in on some future projects or works? I'm currently developing a new body of work that continues to explore themes of memory, identity, and the human experience. While these themes remain central to my practice, I'm also experimenting with new visual ap- proaches and ways of communicating emo- tion through paint. There are several exciting exhibition opportunities on the horizon, both locally and internationally, which I'm very much looking forward to. At this stage, I prefer to let the work evolve naturally, but I'm excited to share this next chapter with the public when the time feels right. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 AUGUST 2026 Art Tomoko Fait and the Cartography of the Collective Unconscious ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON BY LAURA CALLEJA suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt The Q & A FABIO BORG 7 questions for... Extra round Who are your biggest influences, and how have they shaped your work? My influences come from both artists and the world around me. I have always admired artists who are able to communicate emo- tion and human experience in a deeply personal way. Artists such as Gerhard Richter, Tracey Emin, and Cy Twombly have been particularly influential for me, each in their own way. Richter's exploration of memory, perception, and the rela- tionship between abstraction and reality has always fascinated me. Emin's honesty and vulnerability in transforming personal experiences into art has shown me the power of emotional truth, while Twombly's expressive marks, gestures, and connection between painting and writing have influenced the way I think about movement and sponta- neity within a work. Beyond individual artists, I am also inspired by everyday life, human relationships, memories, music, literature, and the places I encoun- ter. These influences do not shape my work by imitation, but rather encourage me to explore my own visual language and to create work that feels authentic and emotionally connected. Fabio Borg is a contemporary visual artist of Maltese and Italian heritage whose work explores the expressive boundaries of abstraction. His next solo exhibition, titled Ħafna Nies fil-Kamra is on at il-Kamra ta' Fuq, until 13 September Art New exhibition What Moves Between Us to open at axis_ Art Gallery PAGE 2 PAGE 8 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta Imgezwra fid-Dawl Harsa ghal harsa Hbieb tat-tfulija