I’m Jesmond Vassallo and I was born on 1st May 1976, in Mtarfa. You may follow me on my facebook page
How did you get started?
My interest in visual arts was quite evident in primary school. I went on to receive my academic formation in art at both secondary and post-secondary level, followed by tertiary education both in Malta and Italy. I was always drawn to figurative representation, and I constantly sought to develop my artistic knowledge and skills by attending figure drawing sessions, visiting exhibitions of masters abroad, and seeking art apprenticeships on an ongoing basis. These three activities have always been and remained fundamental in shaping my technique and to the production of my works across the various genres studied.
Whose artist’s work are you most inspired by?
Any good art really, from the Assyrians to Roman and Greek art, to old, modern and contemporary masters, among whom Pierre Bonnard, Henry Matisse, Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin, Medardo Rosso, Giacomo Manzu, Vincenzo Gemito, and Costantin Brancusi.
Describe your work in less than 10 words.
Distilled and abstracted visions of what surrounds me.
What genre do you consider your work to be?
Figurative
Your favourite from among your own artworks?
Paintings and drawings of people who are close to me.
What are you working on at the moment?
New prints, private commissions and upcoming exhibitions.
How long have you been painting?
Long before 1997.
Are you a morning person or do you come alive at night?
It depends. During the week I work early in the morning and at weekends, late at night.
How many coffees a day? Don’t embellish.
4 good Italian-style, home-brewed espressos.
Sundays can be very productive for some and very unproductive for others. How do you spend yours? Catching up with friends, family and listening to some good live music on Radio Rai 3.
Wine and cheese. Yes or no?
Yes to both.
If you were given a million euros, what would you indulge yourself with?
Buying some true works of art by some masters and artists whom I love and admire.
Favourite place to holiday?
Veneto and the Dolomites.
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