A solo exhibition of paintings by Dominique Ciancio is currently being held at the Banca Giuratale, Victoria. The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono inaugurated the exhibition, entitled ‘The Mirror Works.’
Dominique Ciancio was born in 1983 in Malta and grew up in the family’s home in Sliema. It was during this formative period that he became acquainted with the vivid dramatic canvases of the old masters. He recalls for instance, habitually scrutinising Caravaggio’s big screen painting hanging only minutes away from his home. Consequently he began studying painting and drawing from an early age, always compelled by a sense of curiosity and joie de vivre.
Ciancio has also been involved in backstage painting for theatre and film, working for Universal Pictures in addition to productions with notable directors such as Stephen Spielberg. In 2004 he earned a degree in History of Art from the University of Malta as well as a four year Diploma in Fine Arts, from the School of Art in Valletta.
After that he traveled extensively within Europe. Currently he has been presenting his paintings internationally, especially via Scandinavia, where his artwork has now reached private collections from America to Asia.
Never ceasing to learn, he buys and mixes his own quality pigments, stretches and prepares his canvases and uses acquaintances as models. He purposely uses these methods to give a certain crust to his paintings: a surface that transcends reality. “Each painting can be a tiny window into an open universe,” he says.
Accordingly, just as colours are laid down on a palette and then mixed, Ciancio brings forth all his diverse interests and blends them to craft a visual poetry about life’s own experiences.
The exhibtion is open to the public until the 25th of November, from 8.00am to 3.00pm on weekdays and 9.00am to 12:00 noon at weekends.