Malta and Gozo Students Prize 2021

A painting inspired by the feeling you get when you are in a snowy place, the cold, hence the use of cold colours. Although it is cold, it gives you the feeling of serenity, with the peaceful, light colours.

Throughout the years, a number of interpretations of the Medusa were created and analysed. The work questions, was she a villain or a victim?

Sometimes the bad parts of the world seem so overwhelming. But even among all this negative input, We can still manage to find something beautiful to focus on every day. In fact, there is a lot of beauty around us if we just look closely enough. We never really appreciate the little everyday moments. We pass by beauty everyday but never give it more than a glance, whether it is trees near a campus or meeting a friend. It is only when we stop and focus our attention that we recognize just how beautiful they are.

In this artwork I urged to demonstrate the negative perspective of being in the spotlight as being very open to criticism and hate. The reaching hands reflect the people who take any opportunity to tear others down for their own entertainment and fulfillment, absolutely ignoring the fact that we are all humans who feel emotions.

Nowadays we are forced by higher levels of government to stay home and not leave our houses. This piece shows 3 men, in different positions, having a conversation. It is noticed that the three male adults are identical which can suggest that it is one man talking to himself, as he is in quarantine therefore, he’s in solitude talking to himself.

The drawing depicts two male wolves in the midst of a fight, it’s meant to show how dominance is asserted in the animal kingdom, where sheer force and strength is the key for survival. More specifically, it is a metaphor of nature’s natural selection, where the fittest get to live and carry on their genes whilst the weak die out.

To express discomfort with the way humanity is treating planet Earth. The wolf behind the candle represents animals staring at the state of the world. Wildfires today, indirectly caused by humans, destroy many animals’ homes and families.

As time passes by, the environment around us is getting degraded bit by bit and we, human beings keep on doing the same wrong action time and again, ending up with numerous harms and damages.

The drawing shows a figure which could be identified as a strong character. As in having a huge wing, which refers to strength and protection, all this can be compared as a women power.

After a roller-coaster of emotions and vast experimentation, I came up with the idea to integrate our local Maltese culture along with portraiture in this final piece.

“Me, Myself and I” is a self-portrait I did recently. In my art I usually aim to capture the beauty of objects and places. This time, my main objective was to capture the beauty of myself, not only on the outside, but also on the inside, hence my choice of colours.

I like to paint landscapes which show tranquility

The intent of this project is to bring to light the often unnoticed reality where mankind is abolishing nature’s potential to satisfy their greed. This drawing portrays human hands meddling with the forces of nature, attempting to claim its power. However, the Earth and its creatures are trying their best to oppose mankind’s force, hence creating a disturbance within the balance of nature.

I enjoyed drawing portraits and I like to depict the facial expressions, in this case, the thoughtful look of the face.

This piece was an observation drawing, and while looking at my popcorn the first thing I noticed was the colour. Its predominantly white. Just like in the media, the number of white people overpowers the few number of people of colour representatives that we have, pushing them to the side-lines.

After several attempts and experimental work, I found the right mediums and ways to present this realistic, yet creative portrait. This final piece was an attempt to introduce gold-leaf into my work.

The acrylic painting reflects possible changes young people might experience in this specific, crucial part of their lives.

Serenity in nature during a beautiful day in a tropical island; a blue sky, beautiful clear water, palm trees and a fresh breeze. The work can almost make you feel the tranquility and serenity that nature provides, the true beauty of nature.

This painting portrays the woman in her freest form. Not attached to anyone or anything. The painting suggests that the woman is breaking free from the turmoil of thoughts and emotions that she goes through throughout her life. The pose and colours used depict this. Sadness and fear which are represented in the blue side of the woman while excitement and warmth are represented in the pink side of the painting.

The artwork reflects the journey we follow throughout our life, experiencing different situations that contribute to make us feel specific emotions and making our life as colourful as it is.