Luciano Micallef
Luciano Micallef is a Maltese artist who is known for his abstract art in various mediums. He is a prolific painter having introduced abstract paintings to prominent public places and private collections in Malta.
Biography
Luciano Micallef was born in Malta on 1st November 1954. He is married to Patricia Abdilla and has one child, Chiara.
At the early age of 10 years he studied art under Guzeppi Briffa at The Malta School of Arts. He studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy [1] In 1990 he was offered an artist in residence programme at the Virginia Centre for the Creative Arts in USA.
Soon after he won the International Visitors Programme, visiting various important art institutions throughout the USA. In 1991, Luciano was invited as an artist-in-residence at Luther College in Iowa, USA.
In 2006 he was again artist-in-residence at the ANU, Australian National University, in Canberra, Australia.
In the summer of 2006 the Bank of Valletta presented a retrospective exhibition covering works of art from over thirty years of his career. A book was published in conunction with restrospective show.
Art and Career
Luciano has also made a name for himself abroad from where he has received several notable commissions. Over a long period of time Luciano's realistic style of painting evolved into one of total abstraction, using bold and colourful compositions. His persistent search for new means of expression have added to his eloquence of identity. The strong and positive statement of colour immediately identifies his artworks. His unique style of portraiture have granted him the opportunity to create portraits for Roberto Begnigni, Gilberto and Luciano Benetton, Ornella Muti, Renzo Piano and Silvia Damiani amongst others.
Luciano has exhibited in museums and private galleries in Europe, Asia, the USA and Australia.
In 1996 Gallery 5 he inaugurated his own private gallery in Naxxar, Malta.
The University of Malta has published a book about his works in 1993. Another book entitled Abstracts was launched in 2006.
Works
His paintings have enjoyed international acclaim with invitations to participate and contribute to various Art events.
In 2013, he represented Malta at the IXth Florence Biennale 2013 at Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Italy.
His large scale fused glass panels can be found in various chapels in Malta.
Besides his paintings and works in glass, Luciano has also designed various book covers and posters. He was also responsible for designing stamps commemorating the 1984 Olympics. His colourful art has appeared on credit cards, cosmetic packaging, among others.
Personal Exhibitions
1975/79/81 Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
1976 Hotel Phoenicia, Floriana, Malta
1978 Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Valletta, Malta
1985 National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Malta
1987 Haus des Kunstwerks, Dusseldorf, Germany
1989 Museo Municipales de Bellas Artes, Santander, Spain
1990 Foundation for International Studies, Valletta, Malta
1991 Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
1992 Luther College, Iowa, USA
1993 Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Iowa, USA
1995 Maritim Hotel, Bonn, Germany
1995 Hyundai Gallery, Seoul, S. Korea
1996 Gallery 5, San PawlTat-Targa, Malta / Recent Paintings
1998 Gallery 5, San PawlTat-Targa, Malta / Mutations
1999 Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
2001 Gallery 5, San PawlTat-Targa, Malta / Alchemy
2001 National Central Library,Tripoli, Libya
2002 Galerie Jean Despas, St Tropez, France
2001 KBC Bank Galerij, Brussels, Belgium
2004 Palazzo Affari ai Giureconsulti, Milano, Italy
2004 Charlemagne Buildings, Brussels, Belgium
2004 Jean Monnet Centre, Paris. France
2004 Galerie am Hauptplatz, Hainburg. Austria
2005 Gallery 5, San PawlTat-Targa, Malta / Transitions
2006 Retrospective Exhibition organised by the Bank of Valletta
2006 National European Centre, Canberra, Australia / Perception and Mystery
2012 Gallery 5, San PawlTat-Targa, Malta / Mutations
Collective (selective)
1977- Libyan Cultural Centre, Valletta
1978- Town Hall, Copenhagen
1982- Galleria Fenici, Valletta
1995- Maison de l’Europe, Paris
2000- St James Cavalier, Valletta
2005- Waterfront Project, Valletta.
2008-'Triennale of Engraving', Museum of Modern Greek Art, Rhodes, Greece.
2013-The Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy.
2015- VIII L’arte el il torchio, Cremona, Italy.
References and External Links
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2005-05-15/news/60-second-interview-luciano-micallef-75498/
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/new-exhibition-by-luciano-micallef.89294
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2005-05-20/news/lets-do-lunch-luciano-micallef-75690/
https://sites.google.com/site/iconographyinmaltachurches/home/mad---mor
https://oe1.orf.at/artikel/648822/Atelierbesuch-bei-Luciano-Micallef
https://www.pressreader.com/malta/malta-independent/20131227/282037619993162