Abstracts by Philip Chircop

Chircop started exhibiting his paintings as early as 1958, when he was only 15 years old. This was the very first collective exhibition he participated in. It was the Triennial Art Exhibition held at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce in Valletta; his first solo exhibition was held when he was only 27. Philip Chircop studied at the Government School of Art under the tuition of Antoine Camilleri, Carmelo Mangion and Esprit Barthet.

“For 10 years at the Government School of Art, I studied figurative paintings, like portraits, still life, a lot of drawing, design and so on. During those years, as well as after those years I tried my hand at some abstract paintings, completely on my own. I found that being able to express my feelings and putting my thoughts on canvas, through the sheer beauty of colour, was much more appealing to me since it was much more mysterious and exciting which is, after all what abstract art really is.

Abstract art helps to renew our perception. Figurative art presents familiar things which we cease to see because there is nothing new in them. As long as I paint nature and man made things, I can never produce anything which is greater than that. Van Gogh, Cezanne, Seurat and others used to say that it is not a matter of subject but colour, form and composition. Art is a universal language and it is so powerful and unlimited. It gives me the freedom to say anything, to create a style for its own sake. I work for myself, without considering what the critic or the viewer might think of the painting. It is hard work and a joy at the same time to keep on searching within myself, without ever being satisfied or even quite satisfied! I consider a challenge all the paintings that I have not done yet! Each painting has a history, a story, a path and it is always a challenge to put that on canvas”, says Chircop.

Abstracts by Philip Chircop will be held at the Main Hall at St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity from the 14th May till the 27th June 2010. It includes a collection of the artist’s abstract art spanning from 2004 which has never been exhibited to date.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by H. E. Dr George Abela , President of Malta on Friday 14th May at 19.30

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