May Exhibition by Dominique Ciancio
As life slowly returns to normal the Malta Society of Arts are set to resume their programme of cultural activities and art exhibitions. Although yet to be confirmed due to COVID restrictions, May is scheduled to feature the work of Maltese born painter, Dominique Ciancio.
Born in 1983, Ciancio works as a freelance artist and for the last ten years has divided his time between Malta and Norway. Graduating in History of Art and Philosophy at the University of Malta in 2004, he subsequently completed a four-year diploma course in Fine Arts at the Malta School of Art. From there he went on to work within the mediums of theatre and film joining the Art Department of Universal Studios Inc. where he had the opportunity to work with notable film directors including Steven Spielberg.
Painting, however, was always his passion and aged 26 he decided to dedicate himself to it full time.
A number of interdisciplinary projects followed including UK sound artist Justin Wiggan, The Idiot, Factotum, USA in 2013 and Sword Fighting Jazz, Birmingham, UK in 2014. Other solo projects: 2008 WIRE, Schonings Gate Oslo, Norway / 2010 The Curious, Cittadella, Gozo Malta / 2011 Silent Pulses, Palazzo Ferreria, Malta / 2013 Malerier, Galleri Taide, Telemark, Norway / 2014 UNPACK – a visio-phonic experience at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta, Malta / Semartilma – Dissolving Borders at Arte Gallery, Gozo / In 2015 selected to create seven murals for Esplora Interactive Science Centre, Bighi, Malta / 2016 saw his collaboration with Spright-Art, on AJITP, The Hague, Netherlands / 2019 – TATOM – The Anachronistic Thoughts Of Man, Arte Gallery in Gozo.
Like so many people, the unprecedented world situation necessitated a change of plans and this last year has seen Ciancio mostly in Malta. However, the time has been used productively with precious moments of reflection and memories of growing up on a Mediterranean island manifesting into his most recent work that is both technically and emotionally rich and is perhaps best defined by the words of Dominique Ciancio, himself.
“When a work hangs, it is a silent statement. It carries the painter’s commitment and focus, but also his flaws and humanity.”
Aptly named Return Island, the exhibition is set to open at the Art Galleries of the Malta Society of Arts, Palazzo de La Salle in Republic Street, Valletta from 6th – 27th May.
