For his fifth personal exhibition, Gozitan sculptor Mario Agius is showing a series of sculptures inspired by various themes. ‘Rinascita’ is a showcase of wood, stone and marble sculptures in which Agius is expressing his love for capturing figurative and semi abstracted forms.
Besides exploiting a variety of materials, Mario makes use of their particular features to enhance his expressionist renderings. His expressionistic and almost primitive approach to the media is visible especially in his wood and weathered limestone sculptures.
As stated by Mr George Glanville the exhibition’s curator, ‘…the title chosen for this exhibition, “Rinascita, clearly reflects the philosophy of the Gozitan artist and denotes the manner he chooses material to use it again in sculpture. Mario’s instinct and outstanding technical skills transforms waste materials into works of art, materials which would otherwise end-up in a fireplace or in a fill-in site.”
Mario Agius (b.1956) has manifested a fond inclination to sculpture and design from his early years. He began his artistic studies under the late Mgr. Michelangelo Apap and furthered his studies in wood sculpture under the famous Maltese artist, the late Anton Agius.
The artist has a number of sculptures in private collections both locally and abroad including in London, Switzerland, Germany and Australia. His finest wood sculptures adorn churches all around the Maltese Islands. In 1989 he furthered his studies in Cheltenham, England at the White Knight Gallery under the tuition of the international artist Ian Norbury.
Mario has been actively taking part in various collective exhibitions both locally and away from Malta including those organised by the Members of the British Woodcarvers Association. In 2009, he exhibited in Germany after being invited by the Marzi Art International Galerie of Hamburg. Besides, Mario won a silver medal while participating in the tenth International Salon Ganfa’ exhibition in Nantes, France with the sculpture entitled ‘Ballerina.’
In 2012 he had an exhibition of sculptures entitled ‘Roots’ at Palazzo Ferreria in Valletta.
Last February a monumental wooden sculpture measuring two meters in height named ‘Kommunita’ was installed at the Mgarr Terminal in Gozo after it was choosen among the Eco-Gozo scheme to install permanent works of art in Gozo.
This solo exhibition illustrates works created by the artist to combine his past studies, past experiences and his inner feeling towards art. Thus this exhibition serves as a manifesto of the artist’s inner soul.
‘Rinascita’ will be open for public viewing as from the 15th June till the 15th July 2013, at Cavalieri Hotel, St Julian’s.
The artist can be contacted on 99472831 or by visiting his website www.marioagius.com [1].