Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/265009
28 THIS WEEK CULTURE | TV | FILM CINEMA LISTINGS FOOD | WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK The colour of everyday pursuits What have been some of the most important lessons you've learnt as an artist so far? As an artist – a term I have only recently felt comfortable to call myself, I have learnt that life has to be open-ended, embraced, enjoyed and not taken too seriously if pos- sible. I have learnt much from the various artists I call my friends and others I admire from afar. Being an artist, be it a visual artist, au- thor, musician or other, you tend to look at things from a different perspective. Tolerance and ac- ceptance of the way others express themselves comes more naturally. I feel lucky that I can express myself through my art – both illustration and painting. It takes me to a place where I am happy. How does Malta inspire you? Would you rather be living or working somewhere else? Malta is where my home and fam- ily are so I am happy to stay put. However I find it essential to open up to what is happening away from our small island. Travel, the inter- net, meeting like-minded people (or even people who may not be so like- minded), reading and just being as open minded as I possibly can – all these help me break down the invis- ible barriers that can stifle me and keep me inward-looking. Do you approach your illustra- tions for children's books at all differently to your other work? In my illustrations for children's books I have to work towards a spe- cific brief, which is the storyline, and also keep in mind the age of the children the book is for. I liaise with the author and publisher who I find leave me free and don't stifle my creativity. In my paintings I am completely open to express myself depending on my mood, on what is happening in my life at that partic- ular moment in time or just free to put down on paper or canvas some of the weird creatures living inside my head. How does it feel to be exhibiting alongside the fellow participants of 'Xebgha Nies'? How do you think the different artists comple- ment each other? I am very excited about exhibit- ing with such a diverse group of art- ists. Some established, others young and exhibiting for the first time. We are portraying people – all types of people, using different media and different styles. What connects us is a sense of humour, a quirkiness, a sa- tirical twist. We seem to understand each other and have enjoyed meeting up to prepare for this exhibition. Did you 'theme' your own con- tribution to the exhibition in any way? Most of my paintings for this exhi- bition have a Maltese flavour. They depict people walking, drinking, eat- ing or simply playing tombola – just everyday pursuits with a humorous twist. What do you make of the visual art scene in Malta, as it stands now? Is there anything you would change about it? Like everywhere else, the visual art scene in Malta can be divided into the good, the bad and the ugly. We are a small community but not- withstanding our size, I feel that there are many good and great art- ists. Those who have been on the scene for some time but also – and this is a positive – young creatives who are daring and refreshing. We do need to be a bit more discerning in our appreciation of what is good art and in that way educate people not to accept everything. There will always be, as elsewhere, the Sunday painters who enjoy what they do and why not? 'Xebgha Nies' will also feature work by Debbie Caruana Dingli, Andrew Diacono, Mark Scicluna, Steve Bonello, Moira Zahra, Paul Scerri, Saviour Baldacchino and Kenneth Zammit Tabona. The ex- hibition will run from February 21 until March 30. For more informa- tion and artwork by Marisa Attard, log on to www.marisaattard.com Walking, drinking, playing tombola – artist Marisa Attard speaks to TEODOR RELJIC about her participation in Xebgha Nies, a lively and colourful collaborative exhibition depicting familiar Maltese types and sights Marisa Attard