|
Ganni Pace was born in Valletta on July 14, 1946 to Joseph (1913-1986) and Maria nee Fenech (1922-1990), cousin to the artist George Fenech (1926 - ) of Mellieha.
Ganni started drawing lessons with George Borg (1906-1983) at Pieta' Primary School. He continued his studies at Paola Technical Institute under Vincent Apap (1909-2001). Later, Ganni followed and developed his studies at the Government School of Art, in 1960. George Borg taught him modelling while Esprit Barthet (1919-1999) and Karmenu Mangion (1905-1997) taught him drawing. His tutor for casting techniques was Anton Agius (1933- ) and history of art was by Fr Marius Zerafa OP. Pace currently has an exhibition of his sculptures entitled ‘Rhythms in Imagination' at Heritage Malta (next to Jesuits church) in Merchants Street, Valletta. The exhibition runs till 31 January.
Do you trace your artistic talent to anyone in the family? Has anyone in your family influenced you in your artistic direction?
My father used to draw by the bedside and I enjoyed watching him. He used to purchase back numbers of Epoca, Life, London Illustrated scenes, which had
colourful pictures of classical paintings and sculpture. These were bought for one penny each from the Valletta open market. I kept them and enjoyed looking at them.
I first touched and modelled clay as a child of 14 years old, when my late father and my late younger brother Joe went for excursions at Ghajn il-Hamiem just under Mdina. I also admired my father's aunt il-Bokruwa ‘Pasturi’ which she sold from her shop in Floriana.
To study and produce sculpture one needs space and this was one of my main problem towards my artistic life. This was solved with the help of my late mother who asked late Mr Joseph and Mrs Valina Camilleri from Valletta who had their summer residence at Pieta' were we used to live. Only 2 days later Mrs Valina Camilleri called at our house with the key for the flat basement. I spend 24 years studying and producing sculpture, rent free! This flat basement, my first studio, together with my employment with Bank of Valletta plc, who sponsored all my 7 exhibitions were my turning point.
One late evening, Dr Anton Buttigieg looked through the flat basement window, while I was modelling a 9ft statue of Moses for New Paradise Hotel in clay, he called out to me me telling me to continue the good work. Some 7 years later, Fr Marius Zerafa who at that time was the Museums Director asked me to do some sculpture of missing ornaments for a fountain at the President private drive-in yard at San Anton gardens. When I went there the late Dr Anton Buttigieg always found some time to watch me carving. At one point I reminded him about the occasion when he called me through the flat basement window, a full seven years earlier.
When you sculpt do your try and create something which will be pleasing to others or is it more a matter of a mortal trying to create the immortal?
When I do sculpture I try to be myself, so that my ideas, and emotions are transmitted to my sculptures be it stone carving or terracotta. Art lovers do not bother to see perfect statues, they look for the impressive message. For me human beings, are all moving theatres, masks, good or bad, the moving or the still tree leaves. Wild plants and the underwater world do inspires a lot of my imagination through my artistic sculptures.
Which artists, sculptors have inspired you and why?
My sculpture is Romantic and Impressionistic because I am mainly influenced by Antonio Sciortino (1879-1947), Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), Medardo Rosso (1858-1928), Josef Calleja (1898-1998) Marco Montebello (1915-1985) and Emvin Cremona (1919-1987). Still, when I am creating my sculpture I do my best to be myself.
Pablo Picasso is reported to have said: 'Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life' what does your art do for you?
Sculpture is my spirituality, I produce every piece of sculpture with my warmest love and enthusiasm.
Can you tell us something about your current exhibition?
My current exhibition is my seventh solo one. Human beings in different life circumstances are my main theme. Although amongst my stone carving and terracotta, there is the same technique, the imaginary flow is always visible.
Imagination can be traced in every work of art. In fact the title of this exhibition is ‘Rhythms in Imaginations.’ There are more than 60 works of art on display.
Has your style changed over the years and do you see it moving in different directions in the future?
My style has changed over the years. That’s good because if an artist is always producing the same style his drive in his artistic life is at a standstill. I used to work more in the classical style, and from this style I learned a lot, I still look at the classical style and I enjoy it. In fact a German art professor said that my works are a modern Baroque interpretation.
What can the authorities do to assist art and people's interest in culture?
Art education and appreciation can be further encouraged. More support to Heritage Malta, which is doing its utmost to preserve our artistic Heritage, would help.
School children should have more talks about different forms of art which in turn would enrich their love for art and our heritage.
Any future plans?
I may have my eighth solo exhibition in 2 to 3 years time with God's help. I may have an opportunity to teach sculpture.
Where can your works be seen?
I have several sculptures that the public can see. My very early works include 3 sculptures at Paradise Bay Hotel, Cirkewwa. There are about 7 statues in different cemeteries, at the Torpedo Depot at Pieta - Peace Monument, two of St Augustine of Hippo for St. Augustine College Pieta, one of Saint Andrew for San Andrea School, St Domenic and Our Lady of Fatima at the Dominican Sanctuary, over lifesize bust of Marco Montebello and a 6 foot statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus blessing Maltese bread at Qormi.
If you had to change three things in Malta what would they be?
Malta will be cleaner if all Maltese are conscientious and don't throw away all kinds of rubbish into the streets and roads, we need to plant more trees and plants, and have less car pollution. The physical environment is important and must be improved, but we also need less partisan politics from all sides.
|
