I have always been deeply engaged with the arts and strive to keep abreast of the contemporary art scene, regardless of medium. Naturally, I am particularly drawn to photography, which, in one form or another, has accompanied me for most of my life. Yet I am equally passionate about sculpture, painting and other artistic disciplines, as I firmly believe that regular exposure to the work of others is essential to an artist’s growth, evolution and continual refinement.
Locally, May is invariably a busy month for exhibitions and, true to form, there is once again the customary flurry of offerings from a wide range of artists and cultural entities. While such activity undoubtedly enriches the local art scene, some exhibitions leave one unmoved, whereas others become truly memorable experiences, leaving an indelible impression on the viewer.
Among the latter is Chris Ebejer’s current exhibition, Echoes of Now. The show is being hosted within the beautifully restored Oratory of the Immaculate at the Jesuits’ church, in Valletta.
As we know, all art is subjective and cannot really be defined, yet my reasoning points that for art to be valid, it needs to encompass a plethora of elements. Among the most important are a valid context, interesting narrative, mastery of technique, visual impact and viewer engagement. Another vital factor, that is sometimes neglected, is the space or the area around, between, or within the exhibits.
Ebejer’s exhibition not only carries all these values but clearly demonstrates the wide talents of this relatively young Maltese artist, who was born in 1979. His mastery with bronze, ceramics and terracotta are nothing short of amazing.
Italian historian Paolo Giansiracusa, who attended the exhibition’s inauguration, said: “…Chris Ebejer is a sculptor of striking expressive force, who offers to the light of his contemporaries the most intimate part of his creative world.”
I have known Chris for quite some time now. Years ago, I was commissioned to photographically document some of his sculptures. I was immediately impressed by his technique and humble demeanour. He is not flamboyant or gimmicky but an artist whose real life and existence revolves around his passion – a passion driven by an unrelenting desire to improve his craft and deepen his knowledge.
“Art must be a vital part in the process to enrich and ennoble civilisations”
He is an avid admirer of architecture, history, classical art and even gardening. What defines him most, however, is his unwavering determination to infuse his art with these same influences, supported by an exceptional command of the varied techniques he employs.
Since our first encounter, I have enjoyed and admired following Chris’s blossoming career but this current exhibition has really blown me away. The work is varied and hits visitors in the soul. His exhibits are figurative yet imaginative and most of them feel suspended between memory and mystery.
True to form, Chris has put in a tremendous amount of work and attention to detail, even in the way the exhibits are displayed and lit up.
In previous years, Chris collaborated on several works for cinema sets and his most notable among these is the prestigious commission to design and build the horse of Troy for the US cable network TV series Helen of Troy in 2002.
Chris pursued his studies and graduated in film production and direction at the New York film academy in Universal Studios at Los Angeles. In 2004 he completed the Diploma in Classical and Contemporary Design from the Sheffield School of Interior Design of New York with distinction.
During his career he took on numerous public commissions and his art is also found in many private collections. His early bronze work Mechanical Spring is installed in Sculpture Park in Changchung China. In 2006 he won the competition for the monument Youth and Life in Qrendi, and in 2007 he won the prestigious national competition for the monument to be installed at the newly built Mater Dei Hospital.
In 2010 he executed a statue of Christ the King in silver, a special gift for Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to Malta. Another recent commission resulted in a striking three-and-a-half-metre bronze monument of the Virgin Mary at the entrance of St James Hospital in Żejtun.
Chris has participated in numerous exhibitions both in Malta and across Europe. He shares a profound fascination with creating beauty that touches the emotions while exploring the dream-like realm of the subconscious.
For several years now, Chris works between Malta and the town of Pietrasanta in Tuscany. I feel his periods away from our island’s hectic and sometimes chaotic lifestyle have enabled him to reflect deeper on his art and evolve towards being one of the most talented artists that grace our community.
He believes that art should transmit beauty and that it has a moral responsibility; that it must pursue something higher than itself. In his own words: “Art must be a part of life. It must be a vital part in the process to enrich and ennoble civilisations. It should be a majestic presence in everyday life just as it was in the past.”
In a world that seems increasingly to drift towards destruction and oblivion − a world growing ever more bereft of principles and values − art must strive to offer escape, solace and optimism in our everyday lives. Today, its purpose should be to enrich society, to uplift and inspire, rather than to further perpetuate the prevailing sense of doom and gloom of which humanity is already painfully aware.
I genuinely believe that Chris’s works offer a small yet powerful oasis of inspiration and refuge from the growing darkness that surrounds us.
Echoes of Now runs until June 7. To view more of Chris Ebejer’s work, visit www.chrisebejer.com.
