Luciano Micallef

Born in Malta in 1954. After spending 20 years teaching art I am now working as a freelance artist in Malta.I feel very privileged to be involved in the world of art since art has helped me understand better the world I inhabit as well as its inhabitants. I have had the opportunity to dialogue with people, therefor art served as a catalyst to bond with a wider audience. The responses and reactions that I have experienced from the public has served as an incentive to persist in the chosen path. I have been most privileged with a wonderful audience who have always kept my spirit high. However it has also added a greater responsibility since I have to retain the progress and consistency.

Luciano Micallef studied art in Malta at an early age. In 1979 he was awarded a scholarship to study painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence (1979 / 83). Over a long period of time Lucianos realistic style of painting evolved into one of total abstraction, using bold and colourful compositions. He has designed postage stamps, posters, book covers, trophies and catalogues. He is equally known for his portraits. He has been commissioned to paint various prominent personalities like the President of Malta, the Prime Minister of Malta, Luciano Benetton, Gilberto Benetton, Oliviero Toscani, Ornella Muti and many others. In 1990 he was artist-in-residence at the Virginia Centre for the Creative Arts in USA, which was followed by an award for the International Visitors Programme, visiting various important art institutions throughout the USA. Shortly after, Luciano was invited as an artist-in-residence at Luther College in Iowa, USA. A book was published by the University of Malta in 1993 entitled Luciano Micallef / A study by Kenneth Wain. Luciano has exhibited in museums and private galleries in Europe, Asia, USA and Australia. In 1996 Luciano inaugurated Gallery 5, his own private gallery. In 2006 he was invited by the Austr...