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Artist Statement:
My work is inspired by the
remains of the Neolithic era
of Maltese pre-history.
Malta’s Neolithic past is
among its most precious
heritages.
I focus mainly on the female
figure with its obvious
manifestation of fertility and
on emotions and relationships
emerging from this archetype.
I have based my philosophy of
art on this figure because it
highlights the maternal aspect
of our Maltese civilization
where the figure of the female
principle has been a recurrent
leitmotif, not least in the
religious sphere.
While my sculpture is rooted
in the fertile soil of my
country’s prehistory, it tries
to transcend this basic
heritage by treating universal
themes such as love,
protection, unity and
fecundity arising naturally
from its premises.
My subconscious plays a
central role in my artistic
philosophy. I have been
influenced by certain basic
themes which recur in my
thoughts even my dreams and
which inspire my oeuvre.
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Further Information
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Artist Exhibitions:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Galleries:
Coming Soon!
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Artist Reviews:
Coming Soon!
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Collections:
Coming Soon!
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Commissions:
Coming Soon!
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Joe Xuereb Biography:
| Biographical information for Joe Xuereb can be found below. The artist may choose what information to display. Sometimes the artist chooses not to display personal information to the general public. |
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Age
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54
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| Gender |
Male
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| Status |
Married
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| Children |
2
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| Religion |
Catholic |
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| Education |
Self Taught |
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| Hobbies / Interests |
concerts |
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| Favorite Artistic Medium |
Sculpture Stone
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| Favorite Arthistory Movement |
Contemporary Art - (Now)
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| Favorite Visual Artist |
Henry Moore
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| Favorite Work of Art |
not provided
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| Biggest Artistic Inspiration |
Malta's Prehistoric Temple Period sculpture. |
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| Why Did You Become An Artist |
meeting Marie Claridge who used to run "Gozo 20" crafts studio. |
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| Your Personal Biography |
Joe Xuereb was born on 26th June 1954 and lives in Ghajnsielem, the first village the visitor meets after landing in Mgarr harbour on Gozo, the sister island of Malta. He studied art at the Gozo Lyceum but his career really launched itself off in the 1970's, after working and studying under the tutelage of the late British archaelogist Marie Claridge, then active at her 'Gozo 20' studio on the outskirts of Ghajnsielem. He discovered his artistic inspiration in Neolithic sculpture, a field rarely exploited by other local artists and over the years, though his message has cut across universal boundaries, has made his reputation by specializing in this type of art.
Xuereb's art is, therefore, closely linked with the prehistoric past of Gozo, a small island with its own distinctive character, going back to Neolithic times. His medium, the soft globigerina limestone of Gozo, is highly adapted to his working technique, using traditional tools inherited from his father, a traditional stone mason in his younger days.
Joe Xuereb is married to Miriam and is the proud father of Lorna and Klara. In the seventies he was one of the leading lights of his village's Cultural Society, then a dynamic force in Gozo cultural circles.
He has made his name known beyond the confines of Malta and has had numerous exhibitions throughout Europe, where he has exhibited in the Dutch university city of Groningen, Paris, Milano, Berlin and other major German cities as well as mounting a path-breaking show at the Lincoln Centre in New York. Since 1998, his work has been permanently on display at 'SOL' Sculpture Gallery of Siena, Italy and has also executed some large pieces for the Chianti Sculpture Park located in the Tuscany region. Today his work is represented at the Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery, of Chelsea, New York.
In 1992, the Dutch magazine "Woonbeeld' has featured prominently Joe's work following his first personal exhibition outside his homeland. In 1999, his work was selected and given extensive coverage in the CNN programme 'ArtClub' that dealt about Maltese art. In 2004 his work was reviewed by the Norwegian art-magazine “Kunst for Alle”. Today he runs his own Sculpture Gallery which has already been visited by clients coming from 86 countries. His works are found in private collections ranging from Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia to Florida, California , Minnesota in the U.S.A.
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