Artist Alison Agius breathes new life into traditional Maltese tiles for her debut solo exhibition, being held at Il-Kamra ta’ Fuq in Mqabba.
Rescued from homes across Malta and Gozo, these tiles − each bearing intricate designs, colours and traces of age − become the foundation for a new body of work in which a renewed life and energy are breathed through them.
Through a meticulous process of cleaning and preparation, Agius transforms these objects of heritage into portraits where expression is paramount.
Painted directly in oils, faces and emotions emerge from the patterned surfaces. For the artist, every nuance of face and gesture carries meaning, each glance or subtle shift capturing an inner truth that transcends likeness.
The lines, seams and motifs of the tiles guide her choice of expression, age and character, sometimes aligning with clothing folds, other times blending seamlessly with the sitter’s mood.
Each model, drawn from family members, acquaintances or found references, finds their counterpart in the geometry of the tile, as if the design itself called for their presence.
Agius thus invites a dialogue between portrait, tile and viewer, where the gaze and emotion of each subject resonate beyond the surface.
The works are framed with custom wood supports and stainless-steel bolts, deliberately exposing the edges to emphasise the beauty of the original tile.
In this way, Agius honours both material and memory, offering a kind of “hide and seek” between the person and the pattern, and inviting the viewer to rediscover and appreciate a fading facet of Maltese cultural identity.
The series of 21 unique works is a closed, limited-edition body, and the artist said she will not be producing further artworks on old traditional Maltese tiles.
‘If a portrait lacks soul, it isn’t a true masterpiece’
Agius, originally from Żabbar and now based in Marsascala, holds a Diploma in Fine Arts with a focus on life figure drawing. Her practice captures fleeting gestures, moods and character, moving beyond likeness to convey an intimate connection with her sitters.
“If a portrait lacks soul, it isn’t a true masterpiece; it’s merely a collection of colour pigments assembled to create an image,” she says.
Sometimes she opts to paint without her glasses, allowing only the essential forms to emerge. In this softened vision, Agius discovers a gentler truth, one she strives to carry into her daily life, seeking peace in what is simple and clear.
Agius is the co-founder and coordinator of BILD (Bred in Life Drawing), an art group that organises weekly sessions for fellow artists.
She is also the driving force behind International Workshops, designed to bring together like-minded practitioners and enrich the local art scene.
While rooted in the teaching foundations she received at the School of Art, Agius believes that international tutors with diverse educational backgrounds can offer perspectives that broaden and strengthen the learning experience for Maltese artists, without the need for costly travel abroad.
Her works have been exhibited in museums and historical sites overseas and form part of both private and public collections in Malta and abroad.
Il-Maduma, curated by Melanie Erixon, runs until November 23. For opening hours and more information, click here.
