Anton Abela (1983 - )

Anton Abela started painting at a very tender age. In the mid-80’s some of his works were chosen to participate in the BOV exhibitions, a project with the aim to promote art in school children. Anton continued to study Art at the Junior Lyceum where he found valuable support from various lecturers amongst which Mr. Joseph Scerri and Mr. Mark Micallef who believed in his talent and encouraged him to perfect his technique and develop as an artist.

Anton decided to read Bachelor of Arts degree in History of Art at University of Malta, where he then specialised in Medieval Art focusing on Byzantine, Greek Orthodox and Russian idiosyncrasies.

In 2005, he participated in a collective exhibition entitled Brushstrokes, where he exhibited three figurative paintings at Palazzo de Vilhena in Mdina.

Moreover, Anton also developed a keen interest in Byzantine Icons due to their theology of light. He developed an appreciation for draughtsmanship, form and pure colour which inspired the focal point of this first solo exhibition, Inverse Reality, “…where shadows are eliminated and replaced by pure white light emitted from the background”.  This was held in October 2007 at the Gallery Palazzo Abela (Kastell Wine Bar) in Tarxien.

During these years, Anton has developed a very innovative technique, using a mix of light, shadows and complementary colours, conceiving artistic work which is truly mesmerising, evoking many emotions and plucking up interest from many people, amongst which artists both locally and abroad.

 Anton Abela is a member of Tate Modern Gallery in London and holds a special reader pass to the British Library which allows him access to special books for his research. In addition he is also a ‘Friend’ of the Royal Academy of Arts, London.