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1. What's been the most defining moment in your career so far? The most defining moment in my career so far was the decision to step away from a 20-plus-year career in interior design to dedicate myself completely to contemporary abstract painting. While design taught me an immense amount about structure, light, and how people inhabit space, the true turning point came when I realised, I needed to move beyond creating what is simply attractive. I wanted my work to ask deeper questions, step past the boundaries of literal language, and serve as a direct, visceral conduit to the subcon- scious. Leaving the safety of a structured profession to face the silence of a blank canvas allowed me to fully commit to translating complex human emotions, tension, and renewal into texture and form. 2. As a creative, how do you navigate the world and speed of social media? Navigating the breakneck speed of social media as a contemporary artist requires a deliberate shift from chasing algorithms to protecting the creative process. I view social media strictly as an extension of my studio, a digital gallery space rather than a validation machine. The focus remains on documenting the work honestly, not produc- ing content for the sake of views. Social media demands constant novelty, but meaningful abstract art requires incubation, layers, and time. I deliberately match my posting rhythm to my actual production cycle, refusing to rush a canvas just to meet a digital deadline. Instead of only showing polished, final pieces, I use the platforms to reveal the raw reality of the studio. Sharing the messes, the failed layers, and the moments of tension creates a deeper, more authentic connection with viewers than a curated feed ever could. 3. Do you consider artificial intelligence a threat to your career, or an opportunity? I view artificial intelligence not as a threat, but as a compelling creative catalyst and a reminder of the irreplaceable value of human touch. AI generates digital imagery instantly, but it cannot replicate the physical texture of paint, the way heavy impasto catches light, or the visible struggle of a human hand. Rather than a competitor, AI serves as a digital sparring partner to simulate colour interactions or push structural layouts before I touch the canvas. In a world flooded with perfect, ma- chine-made images, the value of unique, im- perfect, physical artefacts actually increase. AI simulates, but art requires lived human emotion and texture. 4. How do you stay motivated and inspired, especially during tough times or when the work feels hard? To stay motivated when the work feels difficult, I rely on strict routine over fleeting inspiration and embrace the discomfort as a sign of growth. I treat painting as a practice; even when uninspired, I enter the studio and mix paint or clean brushes to let momentum build naturally. I view mistakes as breakthroughs, often painting over old canvases because the tension of fixing a piece sparks new energy. Tough times are simply part of the pro- cess—they are usually right before the next creative breakthrough. 5. How do you balance your creative instincts with the expectations of your audience or collaborators? To balance creative instincts with external expectations, I view collaboration as a healthy tension rather than a compromise. I start by establishing a clear shared vision with an understanding of the audience's core needs. This creates a boundary for ex- perimentation. While I trust my intuition for innovation, I remain flexible, using audience feedback as a tool to refine, not erase, my original voice. I keep the core concept pure but adjust the delivery so it resonates. Treating expecta- tions as creative constraints often yields a more impactful, polished final result. 6. How do you approach a new project? Do you have a specific process or routine you follow? As an abstract artist, my creative process bal- ances spontaneous emotion with structured intuition. I begin by absorbing external stimuli, like a specific memory, to define a core emotional theme and select a deliberate colour palette. I apply the first loose marks using rapid, subconscious movements, building depth through contrasting textures, shapes, and media. I step back to evaluate the composition, intentionally balancing chaos with order. 7. Can you let us in on some of the future projects, works? I am actively developing my next major collection, which fuses deep atmospheric textures with raw accents, but for now it is a little secret. My primary focus is translating this body of work into international spaces. I aspire to organise debut solo exhibitions across the world's premier art hubs. Breaking into the international art market is challenging but entirely achievable with a deliberate strat- egy. As an abstract artist, I have a distinct advantage. My work speaks a universal visual language that bypasses cultural and linguistic barriers. These future projects aim to challenge scale and environment, taking the raw, physical energy of the studio and placing it directly into vibrant, global cityscapes. Each planned showcase will focus on how large abstract forms can command and transform diverse architectural settings. maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2026 Music Brikkuni's XKPSOVER will be officially launched on 28 November at Teatru Salesjan ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON BY LAURA CALLEJA suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt The Q & A ALDO RINASCENTE 7 questions for... Extra round Who are your biggest influences, and how have they shaped your work? Gerhard Richter is my ultimate creative anchor, profoundly shaping my rela- tionship with the canvas. From his iconic Abstraktes Bild series, I learned to embrace the beauty of controlled chaos. By using squeegees, knives, and scrap- ing tools, I replicate his technique of building up thick, vibrant layers of acrylic paint only to aggressively disrupt them. This destructive process reveals unexpected, hidden histories beneath the surface. Richter taught me that abstract art does not need to declare a specific mean- ing. Instead, it acts as a visual event where chance, texture, and spontane- ous gestures dictate the final composition. Aldo Rinascente is a contemporary abstract artist based in Malta, creating original abstract paintings that explore the depths of human emotion and the beauty of transformation. Each work is an invitation to pause, reflect, and feel PAGE 2 PAGE 8 Art What a landscape can become MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta As an abstract artist, my creative process balances spontaneous emotion with structured intuition