Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/248536
39 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 26 JANUARY 2014 THIS WEEK THIS WEEK Extra-curricular instruction at the bottega Painter Madeleine Gera, renowned for her portrait work, also organises regular workshops at her Valletta studio for those interested in improving their painting techniques. She speaks to TEODOR RELJIC about what the classes entail "I opened my studio in 2006 and have worked as an artist and taught there ever since. "The classes are generally focused around the portrait, this includes instruction on painting and drawing and painting the portrait from life using sight size and the limited palette. I do also run a class for artists without instruction, which means we meet up and simply work and exchange our views about painting and life. Many of my students join up for this as it provides an opportunity to work independently. There are also cast drawing classes and life class, which incorporates drawing and painting the human figure. "In these past 10 years my interest in painting has focused on representational or, better still, it is characterised by a love for the vis- ible world and the great traditions of Western art. The list is long, but in a nutshell, it includes Classicism, Realism, Naturalism and Impressionism. I would classify my work as 'Realist' because its subject matter comes from the representation of nature based on the artist's observation. "This is reflected in the classes I give as well as the classes I take. Artists in this genre strive to draw and paint from the direct observation of nature, without the use of photography or other mechanical aids. In this regard, instruction in my studio differs from the art movements of Photorealism and Hyperrealism. "Within my own work and teaching I am attempting to restore a method or curricula of training that develops an artistic eye through methods of representing nature Madeleine Gera that pre-dates Modern Art. Yet, I would like to think that my work is personal and expressive as well. The subject matter taught in my studio includes figurative, landscape, portraiture, and still life paintings. "I have taught people from all walks of life and all ages. Some of those who attended classes came from Britain, Holland, The USA, Maltese poet holds reading in Lithuania Left to right: Indrė Valantinaitė and Simone Inguanez MALTESE poetess Simone Inguanez has just returned from Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania, after being the protagonist of a Maltese Poetry Evening organised by the Representation of the European Commission in Malta and the Valletta 2018 Foundation. The reading in Lithuanian of a selection of Inguanez's poems took place at the Writers' Club in Vilnius last week. The Lithuanian poetess Indrė Valantinaitė moderated the evening and interviewed Inguanez who also read out some of her work in Maltese to present the Lithuanian audience with an opportunity to listen to the sound of the Maltese language. This is the sixth edition in a series of Maltese Literary evenings in each capital of the country at the helm of the Presidency organised by the Representation of the European Commission in Malta and the first time it was organised in partnership with the Valletta 2018 Foundation. The aim is to give Maltese authors a new podium for their works, offer them an opportunity to establish new contacts and networks and to promote Maltese literature and literary translation in general. Poland, Italy, Greece and Korea as well as Malta. "Personally, I would like to see a school in Malta running on the lines of The Florence Academy, The Angel Academy or the The Grand Central in New York. From my (limited) knowledge there are courses at MCAST leading to an undergraduate level and the School of Art in Valletta provides classes too. In the end it all depends what you are looking for in artistic visual education or what you aspire to learn and acquire after your studies. This is something no one person can answer in a few lines as art education is extremely varied." For more information about the classes log on to www.madeleinegera.com or email madeleine@ madeleinegera.com Michelle Morrissey exhibits under the pale blue sky Artist Michelle Morrissey, who has recently opened Studio 104, a fine art gallery in Santa Lucija Street Valletta, is currently exhibiting a collection of works entitled Under the Pale Blue Sky. The exhibition is open daily from 11:00 until 17:00, until February 1. This exhibition is a vibrant array of drawings, paintings and collage that are inspired by the uniqueness of organic form, juxtaposed with mass produced, 'throw-away' packaging and branding symbols that are synonymous with contemporary life. Imbedded in the fabric of the artworks are sections of materials that 'hint' at the whole. Visuals of mass media and sections of Morrissey's own paintings are collaged into the pictorial space and are highlighted in the subtle, feminine, overall compositions. The underlying narrative is one of 'the multiple,' consumerism and the individual, 'lost' amongst the masses. Society provides us with the images and multiples as a daily lifestyle, leaving the quest for the individual, choice or decision, a unique journey. This delicate, 'uplifting' exhibition brings beauty from the unexpected into lyrical and playful visuals.