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Q1 Could you introduce yourself? How did you start?
I started painting when I was a very small person. It's was the only thing I could do well so I kept at it. Never thought you could do it as a proper job though!
Q2 Your works are very unique and have humor. It seems there are lots of meanings. What is the concept behind your works?
There are lots of concepts running through different works...I try to make them beautiful so people look at them first and then if they discover other meanings it's then it's a bonus for me.
Q3 How was your UK solo exhibition, 'It's a Wonderful World'?
It sold out at the opening in an hour and a half...I think it went pretty fucking well.
Q4 Could you tell us the projects that you are working on right now?
Working on a solo show to take place next year in LA.
Q5 I really like your '21th century love' and 'Play with me'. Are these describing your feeling about our increasingly homogenized, materialistic society? |
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Q7 Could you tell us the work you enjoyed the most so far?
I've enjoyed a lot of the work I've made in the past few years. There are moments from most of the paintings where I've learnt or discovered something new about painting. I have to enjoy the work otherwise it will be crap for everyone else. Some paintings are harder then others to 'find' but when you get them right it's the biggest hit. You really feel like you've achieved something...This doesn't always happen by the way.
Q8 Are there any people who inspired you? Who do you respect?
Lots of people have inspired me. Other contemporary painters, Old masters. I was taught by an artist called JohnVirtue. He paints massive landscape scenes and he has had major exhibitions at the national Gallery in London. He was a great teacher and fed my enthusiasm to paint. A great inspiration which inspired me to carry on. He was taught by Frank Auerbach too (Who I greatly admire)
Q9 What is beauty means to you?
I'm not so sure anymore... |
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Winner of the second prize of the BP/Amoco Portrait award 2000 at the national Portrait Gallery, London.
For 2008 Micallef has been invited to showcase his work with the British Museum in a world tour that plans to travel through major cities from Asia to Europe.
He has exhibited widely throughout the UK and has his work in private collections all over the world. Collectors of his work include Damien Hirst, Jude Law, Robbie Williams, Michael Stipe from the rock band R.E.M. Amanda de Cadenet and Nick Valensi from the Strokes.
Micallef has also featured in many international popular culture and design publications such as the New York Times, Face magazine, Oyster world fashion magazine, and has appeared on the front cover of Blue Print magazine. |
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I'm not very good at talking about what I want to say. I just find it hard to verbalize things. I feel very confident with paint though and find it a lot easier to say things with an image. I'm glad you like the two pieces as you've described what they're about perfectly.
Q6 Could you tell me about an international world touring exhibition start in 2008 Sep?
I was asked by the British Museum in London if I would like to take part in a world touring exhibition. Of course I was very flattered. It's a complete honor for me to take part. It means a lot to be picked for this.
The aim of the exhibition is to look at the cultural differences between European and Asian artists and how they have influenced each other through out history. My painting will be displayed in the exhibition dealing with modern contemporary painters.
One of the many museums to be on the tour list will be The National Museum of Modern Art in Osaka, Japan. The exhibition will then continue to tour the major museums in China before heading to Europe. |
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