Maltese Artist Wins Prestigious Award At Italy’s Longest-Running Art Fair
Maltese artist Matthew Attard has won the Euromobil Under 30 award at Arte Fiera Bologna for his work Untitled (You are a Poser!). Arte Fiera is an international modern and contemporary art fair held every year in Bologna, Italy. It was established in 1974 and is the oldest and biggest art fair in Italy.
Matthew Attard, Untitled (you’re a poser) Opera Vincitrice Premio Under 30, 12esima edizione @GruppoEuromobil #galleriamichelarizzo #bologna #artefiera #AFexperience pic.twitter.com/y9Zwy2cQEJ
— ARTEFIERA (@artefiera) February 3, 2018
Attard was exhibiting Arte Fiera as part of the Galleria Michela Rizzo stand – his gallery representation in Venice. Each exhibiting gallery was asked to nominate their artists for varied fair awards, and Attard was put forward for the Euromobil Under 30 category. Judges voted for the work after viewing it at the show itself and Attard went on to claim the title.
“This was a very important result for me,” Attard told Lovin Malta. “Firstly, because it was the first time I’d exhibited at Arte Fiera; and secondly, because after the announcement there was a huge interest in the work and the gallery’s stand – both by visitors and press. It all encourages me to carry on developing new projects”.
You are a Poser, Canal|05, Brussels, 2014
Attard has a degree in History of Art from the University of Malta (UoM) and has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious art collections, joining the Peggy Guggenheim Collection team as an intern directly after graduating. He credits his time at Peggy Guggenheim and the Venice Biennale with informing his own style and allowing him to expand his knowledge of contemporary art. Attard has recently completed a Masters by research with the Digital Arts Department, within the The Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences (MaKS) at UoM.
Attard’s work has already been widely exhibited in many international galleries. His representative gallery in Venice, the Galleria Michela Rizzo, also represents the likes of high-profile artists such as Hamish Fulton and Vito Acconci.
Galleria Michela Rizzo was a winner with another artist, Martino Genchi, as well as being selected as finalist for the Best Stand Award in this year’s Arte Fiera edition.
And if Maltese audiences are itching to see Attard’s work for themselves, they’ll be pleased to know that one of his sculptures is now owned by MUŻA, and will therefore soon be available for the public to enjoy. Till then we’ll be keeping our eyes on this trail-blazing local talent!