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1. What's been the most defining mo- ment in your career so far? Having retired from my business career some years ago, I embarked on my artis- tic journey only four years ago. EV Borg gave me my first opportunity to exhibit my work two years ago, at SkyParks Luqa. He was instrumental in helping me establish myself as an artist, and I remain deeply grateful for his patience, encouragement and belief in me. My next ambition was to exhibit my paint- ings in a dedicated art gallery. Rosanna Ciliberti gave me that opportunity at her gallery, Art by the Seaside, in Senglea, where my exhibition is currently being held. She has curated the exhibition with great dedication and success. Seeing my work presented in such a beautiful setting has undoubtedly been the most defining moment of my artistic journey so far. I am immensely grateful to her for making this important milestone in my life possible. 2. As a creative, how do you navigate the world and speed of social media? I have a rather complicated relationship with social media. In fact, I disliked it for most of my life and had little interest in engaging with it before I began paint- ing. However, I readily acknowledge that, in the art world, social media has become an essential tool. It allows artists to share their work, reach a wider audience and observe people's reactions. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the true value of a painting lies in the work itself, rather than in the comments, likes or reactions it may or not receive. Social media offers a wonderful window into the world, but I would never want it to become the window through which I judge myself. 3. Do you consider artificial intelligence a threat to your career or an opportu- nity? I find artificial intelligence fascinating, although I can understand why some artists view it with suspicion. Technolo- gy is transforming almost every aspect of our lives, and the art world is certainly no exception. I do not regard AI as a threat. I consider myself an emotional artist. I commu- nicate my feelings through my brush, my colours and my paintings, and I believe people can connect with those emotions. A machine cannot genuinely experience or transmit those feelings in the same way. It can generate images, whether beautiful or otherwise, but for me, that is where its limitations become apparent. Art is not simply about pro- ducing an image. It is about the human emotions and experiences that give that image meaning. 4. How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during tough times or when the work feels hard? Painting is an intensely personal process and there are inevitably periods when inspiration seems difficult to find. However, I manage to overcome these moments because my artistic language is fundamentally one of emotion. I paint happiness, love, family, the bonds of friendship and unfortunately sadness. My use of colour and expressive impasto brushwork allows me to convey move- ment and emotion, whether joyful or melancholic. Sadness, in particular, often flows from my response to the horrific behaviour of humanity during times of war. The suffering and massacre of innocent children in conflicts around the world are a stain on our collective conscience as human beings. These realities affect me deeply and inevitably find expres- sion in my work. For me, painting is not simply a creative activity. It is also a means of responding emotionally to the world around me 5. How do you balance your creative instincts with the expectations of your audience or collaborators? I believe in myself and my art. I paint emotions whether joyful or sorrow- ful. Both are inseparable parts of the world we live in. I firmly believe that an artist should never paint primarily to satisfy the expectations of others. Doing so risks losing the individuality and authenticity that make one's work meaningful. The emotions within my paintings be- long to me. They are personal and they remain with me long after the painting has left my studio. However, once a painting finds a new home, its interpre- tation may take on an entirely different meaning. What began as an expression of my own feelings may evoke something com- pletely different in another person. To me this is one of the most fascinating aspects of art. 6. How do you approach a new project? Do you have a specific process or rou- tine you follow? I do not always approach a blank canvas with a fully developed vision of the finished painting. Sometimes, I begin with a simple emo- tion, an idea, or a basic composition. Colour is my language. I express myself through vivid colours, bold impasto strokes and expressive brushwork. I enjoy allowing the surface itself to become part of the emotional language of the painting. It's all about an emotional journey. 7. Can you let us in on some of the future projects, works? The present exhibition I have at Art by the Seaside has been an overwhelming experience. Art never sleeps, it is an evolving feel- ing. My artistic character and language have been drawn out on these lines; we will evolve further as we go along. Music and art are intertwined in my language. This never changes. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 OCTOBER 2026 Music Through GrintaFest, Malta's underground punk scene is keeping its rebellious spirit alive ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON BY LAURA CALLEJA suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt The Q & A CARL BARTHET 7 questions for... Extra round Who are your biggest influences and how have they shaped your work? I have always admired artists who possess the courage to challenge convention and establish a distinctive visual language. Pablo Picasso is this man. He was a genius, a prolific artist, and life changer in his art. I am equal- ly drawn to Paul Cezanne for his bold brushwork and beautiful still lives. Carl Barthet is an artist who discovered his passion for painting after retirement, developing an instinctive, expressive style that explores emotion and personal experience through colour PAGES 2-3 PAGE 3 MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta Culture National Book Council announces €20 student voucher scheme