London born artist, Paolo Giordanella, who now lives and works in Gozo, has had his 15ft sculpture of a giant Grasshopper erected at St Celia heliport roundabout in Ghajnsielem.The installation of the sculpture has been carried out as part of the The Public Art in Gozo scheme, in the Action Plan for eco-Gozo 2010 – 2012, launched by the Ministry for Gozo in late 2010 and was the first of its kind in the islands, comprising a permanent art exhibition outdoors for the benefit of local residents and visitors to Gozo.

‘Il-Gurat’ (The Grasshopper), the artist said, “is a graceful, expertly crafted, contemporary sculpture that belies its solid metal fabrication of stainless steel, copper and brass. In style and execution, it is unlike anything else the Maltese islands have seen, and its organic form and simplicity is entirely complimentary to its Gozitan landscape, qualities that were the inspiration behind the concept.”

Nature, and its intricacies, features strongly in much of Giordanella’s work, spotlighting the overlooked and the ordinary and then elevating them to an extraordinary perspective. This ethos is present when it comes to the ‘Il-Gurat’ sculpture, “A Grasshopper is a fine example of grace and power combined, making this insect one of the most majestic of all God’s creatures and therefore worthy of selection for this piece.” explains the artist.

Giordanella started his artistic training when he was selected to join Sir John Cass School of Art, London at just 15 years of age, by the time he was 16 his enthusiasm and talent had been spotted and he was offered a 4-year apprenticeship with a prestigious London silversmithing company.

Years later he was awarded Freeman status within the City of London as a Goldsmith and Silversmith. Having fashioned works for British royalty and many famous and wealthy people such as HRH Prince Phillip, the Sultan of Brunei and Sir Elton John, Giordanella decided that he was no longer content with skillfully crafting gold and silver to other people’s designs.

His intention was to further pursue his own artist style and qualities, subsequently enrolling at The London Art Academy where he graduated with his degree in Fine Art Sculpture four years later.

In 2009 Giordanella took the position of fulltime lecturer in Fine Art and Jewellery at MCAST Institute of Art and Design in Mosta, where he continues to teach today passing on his enthusiasm for art and metal to his students. Bringing with him his wife and son to the Maltese islands, Giordanella has set up home in Gharb Gozo where he has his sculpture / jewellery studio producing artworks and private commissions.

One of these commissions is the aforementioned Grasshopper sculpture, which is one of the 13 artworks selected by the Ministry of Gozo from the eco-Gozo Public Art Scheme.

Further information about Paolo Giordanella and his work can be found at www.lampukiarts.co.uk.

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