About

Artist Statement

Carefully constructed geometrical compositions, subtlety of lines, combination of materials, contrast of ‘natural’ and ‘synthetic’ colours and repetition are a few ways of how one can describe the work of Maxine Attard. All of the above however, are only some elements that she begins with each time she starts a new work. Overall, the urge to produce such work stems from Maxine’s constant preoccupation with the insignificance of human existence in the face of the sublime. As a result, her work tackles the void, the nothing and the constant search for meaning through the repetition of mark-making, the order of geometry and the minimal palette of colours and compositions.


Bio

Maxine Attard (b.1986, Malta) is a visual artist and a graduate of the University of Brighton, U.K. (MA Fine Arts, 2011) and the University of Malta (History of Art, 2008). Attard works in multiple media including works on paper, works on wood and site specific installations. She has had solo shows in Malta – In Between Obliterations at The Mill supported by Gabriel Caruana Foundation (2017) and commissions – Inhabit commissioned by Pjazza Teatru Rjal and funded by the Malta Arts Council (2016). Selected group exhibitions include Bodyless, at the Maritime Museum, Birgu, Malta (2016) and Mediterranea 17, Young Artists Biennale, Milan, Italy (2015). Her work is held in a number of private collections. Attard taught art practice and theory as an assistant lecturer at Mcast Institute for the Creative Arts, Malta (2012-2014).

CV

Maxine Attard
Born in Gozo, Malta, 1986.
Lives and works in Leipzig, Germany and Malta.


Education:

2010-2011: Masters in Fine Arts, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
2005-2008: Bachelor of Arts (Hons), History of Art, University of Malta, Malta


Selected Solo and Two-Person Exhibitions:

2023-2024 Before the work, there’s “I”, Valletta Contemporary, Valletta, Malta
2022 Jekk m'intix thossha, ieqaf! If you are not feeling it, stop!, Galerie Jochen Hempel, Leipzig, Germany
2017 In Between Obliterations, Gabriel Caruana Foundation, Birkirkara, Malta


Selected Group Exhibitions:

2023 new acquisitions by the Hildebrand collection, G2 Kunsthalle, Leipzig, Germany
2022 Awol, R Gallery, Sliema, Malta
2021 We are not sure if the show will still be open tomorrow, Galerie Jochen Hempel, Leipzig, Germany
2019 Afterminimalism, Valletta Contemporary, Valletta, Malta
2018 Here & Now 01, Valletta Contemporary, Valletta, Malta
2016 Bodyless, Maritime Museum, Birgu, Malta
2015 No Food’s Land, Mediterranea 17, Young Artists Biennale, Milan, Italy
Divergent Thinkers, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, Malta
2013 DUKEOFEDINBURGHHOTEL Room 36, Sentinella, Citadel, Gozo, Malta
2012 Religionis Violenta, London West Bank Gallery, London, United Kingdom
iconoKLASTI, Gozo, Malta
2011 Down to the Essentials, Riverside Gallery, Richmond, London
Enabling Excessive Restricting Essential, Grand Parade, University of Brighton, United Kingdom


Art Fairs:

2022 Art Cologne, represented by Galerie Jochen Hempel, Cologne, Germany


Collections:

Hildebrand Collection, Leipzig, Germany

Maxine Attard is collected by various private collectors in Malta, France, Germany and United Kingdom.


Grants:

2020 Denkzeit Stipendium, Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Sachsen, State of Saxony, Germany


Public Commissions:

2016 Inhabit, Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta, Malta
2012 Resting Place, Nadur Parish Church, Gozo, Malta


Selected Bibliography:

Franz Hempel, VC005. Malta : Valletta Contemporary, 2024 [future publication]
Francesca Mangion, VC002. Malta : Valletta Contemporary, 2020
Isaac Azzopardi, VC001. Malta : Valletta Contemporary, 2019.
Zandegù (ed.), No Food’s Land. Italy, 2015.


Selected Press:

Lara Zammit, “Artists need to be allowed the time to make art happen” in The Sunday Times of Malta, (2024).

Ann Dingli, “Maxine Attard discusses process, perception, and authenticity in contemporary art-making” in I think I like it, (2018) at [https://www.think-like-it.com/single-post/2018/03/30/ interview-maxine-attard-discusses-process-perception-and-authenticity-in-contemporary-art] consulted on 24 June, 2024

Teodor Reljic, “Watching the Destruction Unfold'' in MaltaToday, (2018).

Eve Cocks, “In Between Obliterations” in evecocks.com, (2018) at [https://evecocks.com/in-between-obliterations/] consulted on 24 June 2024

Karin Grech, “Maxine Attard - In Between Obliterations” in bwiseaftertheevent (2018), at [https://bwiseaftertheevent.wixsite.com/aftertheevent/single-post/2018/02/27/maxine-attard-contemporary-artist-exhibition-in-between-obliterations] consulted on 24 June, 2024

Lisa Gwen, “The Art is in your Face” in Encore Arts and Culture Magazine, (2016).

Charlene Vella, “Inhabiting the Uninhabitable” in Escape in The Sunday Times of Malta, (2016).


Professional contributions:

2012-2014 Assistant Lecturer, Malta College of Art, Science and Technology (Mcast), Mosta, Malta


Dealer Directory (represented by):

Galerie Jochen Hempel
Spinnereistraße 7, 04179 Leipzig, Germany
https://jochenhempel.com / info@jochenhempel.com