Losing our religion? Three Maltese artists open up this Easter
Left to right: Andrew Borg, Christopher Saliba and Mark Schembri and their respective artworks
Happy Easter one and all…
This Easter in Malta sees attendance at mass at an all time low, but for the estimated one third of the population which still goes to church, it remains a special and meaningful occasion.
But whether you consider yourself religious, spiritual or none of the above, the conversation in this latest blog post may pique your curiosity, featuring, as it does, an interview with three of Allura’s artists who challenge the Catholic faith, yet still paint the church.
Today’s Sunday Times of Malta features an article about leading Maltese painters Christopher Saliba, Mark Schembri and Andrew Borg and their personal and artistic relationship with the church.
In this blog post we bring you the full interview plus a selection of their related work.
Click here to read the online version of the article in the Sunday Times of Malta.
What does the church mean to Maltese artists?
While the Times of Malta article focuses on their paintings of church buildings, these artists also paint other religious imagery, such as depictions of Christ, the virgin Mary and stories from the Bible.
We asked them some probing questions about their religious beliefs and how these feature in their art.
Mark Schembri with his painting Strada Stretta
Given the decline in church attendance in recent years, how do you see the place of the church in Maltese society today?
“Since the pandemic started, it has been clear that the Catholic clergy are useless when there is a real burden, other than providing online mass, lending an ear and charity obviously, but I expected more.“
“I believe that the true message of Christianity is delivered to whoever wants to listen, and it doesn't need ceremonies, dogma or moralising.”
The Fifth Evangelist by Mark Schembri
“I doubt one can consider the church as central to everyday life anymore. Its significance has been dented by other ways of life, including the influence of politics, media and consumerism, all of which have become the new ‘gods,’ because people probably believe in them more than in the church.”
Andrew Borg with his painting Ahrax
“Nowadays, the church has lots of competition, but one could argue that religion is a ‘glue’ to keep the flock in line along certain principles. I believe that the values of most churches are intrinsically good and that this helps preserve our society, but how it’s done in practice is another matter.”
Veronese Window by Andrew Borg
“The Church has had a considerable amount of power throughout Maltese history. As an institution it was very ingrained in local politics. It remains so to this day, but more as a legacy. The referendum on divorce in Malta was a recent example in history which showed how the Church appeared to have lost much of its social grip and influence.”
Christopher Saliba and Allura's Laura Swale with his painting Nadur Skyline
“In the past the Church used to assemble people in large numbers and define them politically, but this is no longer the case to the same extent. I’d say that increased education has made people more open-minded and they now view religion as less relevant to their lives. Then there are those who are spiritual, but do not relate the idea of God with organised religion. I consider the church as an institution striving to survive in a dynamic, more secular and mundane society.”
How would you describe your religious beliefs or spiritual views, if indeed you have any?
“I’m a Catholic practitioner. I attend church on a regular basis but I can much feel the presence of God elsewhere, especially while contemplating directly the beauty and grandeur of nature.”
Xaghra Skyline by Christopher Saliba
“I don’t consider myself religious but I do consider myself as spiritual. There’s of course a big difference, even though religion attempts to instil spirituality”
Ghajnsielem Parish Church by Andrew Borg
“Nowadays I prefer not to label myself as any of the mainstream denominations. I am clear on the belief in the Holy Trinity and the saints, and that there is life after death, heaven and hell, but that's it. I can pray and feel the relationship with God anywhere, I don't have to attend rituals and ceremonies created by man.”
“Nowadays spirituality has become a cliché and I remember priests preaching against it, reasoning that you can't mix it with religion since they are totally different. Religion was made by humans, and is basically the politics of how men try to spiritually persuade other men. Wars have started because of religion.”
“Spirituality is a 'conversation with the super-natural'. The soul meets her natural home, the mind marries the whole universe through spirituality. I keep the Holy Bible as my main source of inspiration when I create a new piece of so-called 'sacred art,’ but I choose only those that serve as an analogy for that moment in my life, being either auto-biographical or social.”
“I’m a lover of authenticity. I express myself through my art, because art in itself, if the artist is honest while creating it, is what makes us who we are.”
Salvator Mundi by Mark Schembri
A lot of Maltese art still focuses on churches and religious icons when many people are shunning religion. What motivates you to paint churches and other religious subject-matter?
“When I do paint a chapel or a church, it is purely an appreciation or a study of the beautiful architecture, and also, being a nostalgic person, there is often that lament for the architectural beauty being vandalised either by time, by the invasion of construction works all over the country and the ‘laissé-faire’ attitude of society over the past 20 years.”
“In ‘landscape’ mode, I see churches as aesthetically good shapes to depict. They were always conspicuous by their presence as landmark shapes which defined skylines. But this is changing nowadays of course, with high-rise buildings, and maybe that’s a reflection of who we have really become.
“When I do paint ‘spiritual’ paintings, these are mainly symbolic of some message I want to convey, and in many cases, these paintings are intersections of the spiritual and the religious.”
Siggiewi Old Parish Church Ruins by Andrew Borg
“In former times artists used to educate people and illustrate religious themes. Nowadays religious themes are less popular with contemporary artists who focus more on the social and political domains.”
“The church appears frequently as a focal point in my compositions and remains essential to my projection of the tragic reality of local scenery which is being endangered by continuous speculation and urbanisation. The Church is not only being threatened ideologically by secularism, but also physically, with the possibility of ending up engulfed by looming tall buildings.”
Marsalforn Valley Gozo by Christopher Saliba
“My paintings depicting local churches still remain popular because people still identify themselves with the places where they live or are familiar with, including the features and physical landmarks that characterise and distinguish them and make them unique.“
Mark, Christopher and Andrew are just three of the artists whose paintings are available through the Allura Art gallery. Artwork is available at studio prices and can be delivered or collected locally or shipped overseas. To view artwork according to budget, visit the search by price page.
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