Hosted by Allura, the informal event takes place this evening from from 7-9pm at the Cavalieri Art Hotel in St Julian’s. It will celebrate Marianne’s creative journey, showcase her remaining artwork, introduce new viewers to her art, and offer a space for those who knew her to meet in her memory and leave messages for her family overseas.
Marianne was an American artist who made Malta her creative home and contributed a truly original voice to the local art scene.
As her gallery, Allura acknowledge the deep loss felt by those who knew her, while also giving thanks for the joy, inspiration and kindness she brought to many people’s lives and to the Maltese art community.
Marianne’s family and friends remember her on Facebook:
“Marianne was a deep well. She didn’t seek attention or the spotlight. She had a profound love for people. As she discovered art, she learned to express that love in many forms.”
Marianne’s journey
“Born in Columbus, Ohio, Marianne’s artistic journey spanned decades of painting, teaching and exhibiting across the United States, until 2013, when she arrived in Malta. Her mixed media works, a delicate fusion of collage and hand-painting, captured Malta’s monumental cityscapes and the light that so enchanted her,” says Laura Swale of Allura Art.
“I fell in love with Malta” Marianne once said, “its rich culture, creamy tiered architecture, vivid blue sky, sea and dramatic clouds. It’s a unique and special country that needs to be preserved.”
Marianne also taught art at Verdala International School, inspiring countless students with her warmth, generosity and encouragement.
Friends and colleagues will remember Marianne for her kindness, gentle humour and unwavering belief in the transformative power of art. She was a natural teacher, a supportive colleague and a dear friend.
A lasting legacy, Marianne’s painting View from Senglea was recently acquired by Malta International Airport for their permanent collection and is displayed at the new VIP Terminal.
A book about Marianne
Marianne’s work was deeply influenced by the themes of the hero’s journey, Jungian theory, mythology and faith. Incorporating these themes, Marianne’s nephew Luke is currently compiling a book about her life, to show how her art became a visual narrative of courage, transformation and hope.
At the time of her passing, Marianne was working on a large artwork measuring 7.5 x 15 feet, entitled Testimony 2, the second and final, unfinished section of her epic series. The last, unfinished part of this painting was to represent ‘the beyond’, the unseen and the journey through the afterlife.
It was intentionally left blank, but with instructions for its completion. It will stand as a powerful testament to her belief in the mysteries that lie beyond this life and her trust in the creative process to guide us there.
You can see more of Marianne’s artistic practice in an episode of Artist Secrets in which she generously shared her playful approach to mixed media and her philosophy of art as both exploration and storytelling:
After the evening’s event, Marianne’s remaining artworks will continue to be on display at the Cavalieri Art Hotel this month and are available through Allura, with proceeds going towards the care of Marianne’s elderly mother.
