Artibus 008

I don’t think people are born artists; I think it comes from a mixture of your surroundings, the people you meet, and luck. - Francis Bacon 

Adrian Ghenie

Lately, while I was browsing on some art sites, looking for interesting work, I came across the works of Adrian Ghenie. Just brilliant, fell in love with his work instantly. If any of you followers of this blog would like to see some more work, just have a look here http://nicodimgallery.com/artists/adrian-ghenie/

Artibus 007

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary. - Pablo Picasso

Happy Christmas to All

Mother and Child 

Artibus 006

Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence. (Henri Matisse)

Artibus 005

What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough. Eugene Delacroix

Live Painting Session at Gallery Pi.

On Saturday 18th December 2010, I will be holding a live painting session at Gallery Pi in Archbishop Street, Valletta. The idea behind the event is pretty simple; anyone interested in meeting me while working, ask questions, have a cup of coffee (or wine) or just hang around at the gallery is welcome to do so.  If there is a good response, we will be holding similar activities with different artists regularly, starting from January 2011.

The plan for this Saturday is this; while cleaning the small basement at the gallery during the refurbishment, I found 3 wood panels that one day used to be part of some doors, probably trap doors. They are in quite a battered shape. What i will try to do is to transform simple pieces of wood into works of art. Nothing new, but its always fun transforming everyday things into art (whatever art may mean). Media I intend to use are the wood panels, paint, old tubes of paint, and gold leaf.....and whatever tickles my fancy while working. 

Hope to see you there. 

Gallery Pi Open all Day Monday 13th

After a very busy day at the gallery, we have returned home with even greater enthusiasm to pursue this new venture in art. We would like to first of all thank everyone who visited us today. For those who have not managed to make it, we will open again for another full day, between 10am and 7pm, on Monday (13th, a public holiday). During the rest of the week the gallery will be open during normal shop hours.

The gallery is in Archbishop Street, Valletta, (map here  http://www.facebook.com/l/d70f4X6P6A0-MIy3a3FTHUQsiNw;on.fb.me/ezQ763). You may also find further information here http://www.facebook.com/l/d70f4MFIH2uY8sQfpDDEPpvFkqQ;on.fb.me/gm1qcL, in our website www.gallerypi.com and in our Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/l/d70f4wPTW8-JSYhNul4wO3P3g-w;on.fb.me/frAEjA

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In the meantime do feel free to contact us with any feedback, suggestions or queries.

Gallery Pi - Now OPen

Finally the day has come. Gallery Pi is now open. For further information please visit www.gallerypi.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gallery-Pi/104330296304264

Artibus 004

Art is the signature of civilizations. - Beverly Sills

L'Agape

These last few months I was quite busy with the refurbishment of a new osteria in Rabat called L'Agape. It was quite a while since I got involved in a design and refurbishment project. The last few years, I have dedicated myself to my art and my design activities were at a minimum. At first I was not sure if I would undertake the project but in reality I had no choice. 

Before refurbishment

The owners, Pierre (a good old friend) and Chris (more of a brother than anything else), had decided that I had to do the job and a 'no' from my side was not even considered. It was not an easy job but after 3 months of site work I must say that I am quite happy with the result. The feedback I got from the owners and from people visiting the place was also good. Looking back from where we started, makes me even more satisfied with what we achieved.

L'Agape

The brief of the project was quite simple; to have a relaxed atmosphere, that is welcoming, elegant but at the same time not extravagant. A place where customers enjoy a limited menu of fresh local produce where items change frequently and according to season. The location of the place, Rabat, was also an inspiration to the name, L'Agape where a number of Agape tables are found in the catacombs close by. 


The place will also be used as an art gallery which will be managed by Gallery Pi will be taking care of changing the collection of artworks adorning the walls. In the current collection one can find works by Sergio Muscat, Carlo Muscat, Gordon Pace Flores and myself. 

Anyone wishing to to book please call Chris on 79455438 or Pierre on 99869444. For more information about the place please visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rabat-Malta/LAgape/166673033345375

Artibus 003

Art is not like other culture because its success is not made by its audience. The public fill concert halls and cinemas every day, we read novels by the millions, and buy records by the billions. We the people, affect the making and quality of most of our culture, but not our art. - BANKSY

Exhibition - Paintings & Sculptures

Rabat-Mdina one of the paintings I am exhibiting 

Saturday, 4th December 2010 will see the opening of a collective exhibition of paintings and sculptures at the art..e Gallery in Gozo. The artist taking part in the exhibition are Carmel Cachia, Andrew Diacono, Victor Spiteri and myself and is being curated by  Maria Cassar owner of art..e Gallery. 

The exhibition will be open throughout the month of December for further information please visit www.artegozo.com or phone on 21557911

Gallery Pi Open Day

Gallery Pi is a new art gallery in Valletta, aiming to bring a breath of freshness into the art world. We will be opening our doors on Saturday 11th December, and invite you to be one of the first to have a look at this new space. A few selected artists will be exhibiting their work at the gallery, including Rupert Cefai, Sergio Muscat, Keith Balzan, Pierre Portelli, Ronnie Muscat, Charlot Cassar, Alexandra Pace, Denise Scicluna, Matthew Cassar and Carlo Muscat.

We look forward to have you join us in inaugurating what is for us an exciting new venture.

For more information please visit www.gallerypi.com or http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122645091132025

After the Storm

This week, while walking in Valletta I met Alfred Chircop, THE Alfred Chircop. Last time I saw my teacher was during an opening of some exhibition, over a year ago. I always cherish the moments I spend with him. During our conversation, the topic drifted towards the fact that so many people nowadays consider themselves artists. "....ah, there are hundreds now, and mind you, they're not painters or sculptors or ceramicists....the are Artists! At least that's what they think." How true. 

The image below is of my largest painting to date, finished recently. Its a commission for a private residence

After The Storm - 2010  - Acrylic on Canvas - 4mx1m on two panels

Art Classes Starting soon

Another round of art classes will be starting soon for both children and adults.
For more information regarding the adult art classes please visit http://rupertcefaiblog.blogspot.com/p/art-courses.html
For more information regarding the children art classes please visit http://rupertcefaiblog.blogspot.com/p/art-classes-for-kids.html

A Tribute to Mothers - Art Exhibition

Yesterday I attended the opening of the collective exhibition titled A tribute to Women . The event is organised by SOS Malta and curated by Angela Tabone of Opus 64 Galerie. The exhibition includes oil paintings, watercolour, mixed media, etching/aquatints and sculptures by prominent artists.

The exhibition will be open for viewing on the following dates:
Pardo Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Palazzo Parisio, Merchant Street, Valletta from 7th May to 13th May 2010 (Sunday closed);
Opus 64 Galerie from 14th May to 31th May 2010.

This painting titled Mother and Child is my contribution. For more information please visit www.sosmalta.org or www.opus64galerie.com.

Tektika Tango

On Thursday 29^th April, at the Phoenicia Hotel, will see the launch of Tektika Tango, an Argentine Tango event combining dance and art.  Six artists, namely, Stephanie Borg, Gordon Pace Flores, Bernard Bonnici, Sergio Muscat, Gordon Knox and Rupert Cefai will be exhibiting their work together with a common theme, Argentine Tango. The exhibition includes a mixture of paintings, calligraphy, photography, drawings and sculptures. During the exhibition, dancers will be taking part in a milonga (Argentine tango social dancing). 

From Friday 30th April to Sunday 2nd of May, Argentine Tango enthusiast will be taking part in a workshop with Maestros Gisela Natoli and Gustavo Rosas, from Argentina. 

On Saturday 1st May a Grande Milonga will be held starting off with a taster class for the general public, continuing with a night of social dancing and two special exhibition dances by the maestros. The General Public is welcome to attend, participate and socialize.

Full details of the event can be found at www.tektikatango.com

Artibus 002

It is a widely accepted notion among painters that it does not matter what one paints as long as it is well painted. This is the essence of academicism. There is no such thing as good painting about nothing. - Mark Rothko

Artibus 001

'Restoration' is a very poorly chosen term, and, strictly speaking something which cannot be done. The genuine restoring of a painting is absolutely something which is possible only to its original creator. - Max Doerner, The Materials of the Artist (1949)

Musicians - Ink Studies

Just added a new gallery to my website. This is a small monochrome collection of studies of musicians in indian ink and PITT pens. The Collection was first exhibited at the foyer of the Grand Master Suite during the Hilton Swings concert in March 2010.







The gallery can be viewed at http://www.rupertcefai.com/go=artworks/display_mini_gallery&login=rucefai&mini_gallery_id=1327648&artist_id=20996

Kaxxi u Kopla

for more info visit http://www.rupertcefai.com/?go=artworks/display_mini_gallery&mini_gallery_id=1278136&login=rucefai&image_id=4595701&artist_id=20996

Rabat-Mdina

Rabat-Mdina

For more information please visit: http://www.rupertcefai.com/?go=artworks/display_mini_gallery&mini_gallery_id=1278136&login=rucefai&image_id=4593232&artist_id=20996

New Courses Starting Soon

From Monochrome to Polychrome art course

For the next round of courses there will be some changes to the course structures. A number of individuals have expressed their difficulty to attend for an uninterrupted three month period. In order to facilitate matters, we have decided to split  the course  in 3 modules  so as to enable students fit in each separate module when it best suits them. In this way, although we are offering the possibility for anyone to finish one module and take up the 2nd and 3rd modules when they feel it would be good timing for them, the student would still have continuity in the work being done.   

Module 1 -         Pencils and Charcoals

4 weeks – one lesson of 2 hours per week  

Module 2 -         Monochrome Pencils and Crayons

4 weeks – one lesson of 2 hours per week 

Module 3 -         Full Colour Dry Media

4 weeks – one lesson of 2 hours per week 

Full Course Details can be found at http://rupertcefaiblog.blogspot.com/p/art-courses.html

Using PITT ARTIST PENS

A new course will be starting soon. Course dates are to be announced. If interested please contact us stating your availability .

Full Course Details can be found at  http://rupertcefaiblog.blogspot.com/p/art-courses.html

For Bookings please call FABER-CASTELL – the concept on 2122 5665/7949 3351 or email anna.ferris@afent.com

Art Courses Starting Soon

Next week will see the start of two new art courses that I shall be delivering at the new  FABER-CASTELL - the concept (malta) premises. For more information about the courses please click HERE

Its Obscene!

A young editor will be facing charges and might end up in jail for publishing a story. Apparently, the story offends public morals....or so the moral police have decided. No, this is not Iran or some other god forsaken country, its Malta. 21 year old Mark Camilleri, editor of ir-Realta, has published a graphic piece of fiction depicting sexual violence.

Paintings on Display.

During this month, a number of my paintings are on display in various art galleries and shops.

The Mdina Gallery  - a collection of 8 pieces of acrylic on canvas, semi abstract landscapes and cityscapes. Works will be on display until the 30th of January 2010.

FABER-CASTELL - the concept - a small collection of ink and acrylic drawings on paper.

VEE GEE BEE - The two paintings that were exhibited during the Christmas period will be on display throughout the month of January.