Kevin Sciberras

Kevin Sciberras is a Maltese artist, born in 1978, who paints in a semi abstract manner. His subject is the built heritage of Malta: churches, domes, balconies, townhouses, streetscapes and boats, seen as shapes of colour and light rather than as literal views. His studio is in Żurrieq, in the south of the island, and available works can be seen there.

If you have walked through Valletta or the Three Cities and wished you could take something of the architecture home, this is the kind of painter to look at. The pictures are recognisably Maltese, but they feel contemporary and not like a tourist print.

A painter of Maltese architecture

The artist's work is dominated by the buildings that give the islands their character. Titles and descriptions on his pages refer to churches, balconies, streetscapes, boats, domes, townhouses and landscapes, with places such as Valletta, Senglea, the Three Cities and Gozo among the settings. The medium is acrylic on canvas.

Human figures are left out. The paintings focus on the structures our ancestors built, and the absence of people gives the townscapes a quiet, almost architectural stillness. Colour is bold and slightly unexpected: the domed church in the image on this page is built from violet, rust, blue and cream planes.

To get a feel for the places that inspire this work, see our Valletta guide, our Three Cities guide and our guide to Vittoriosa, which is one of the fortified harbour towns across the water from the capital.

Viewing and buying work

The artist's site has a page of available artworks and a gallery of past works, many of which are now in private and public collections. Finished paintings that are still for sale can be viewed at the home studio, so the sensible way to buy is to arrange a visit rather than to expect a shop front.

Before you go, decide roughly where the painting would hang and how big it can be. Ask about framing, since that affects both the look and how easily a work travels. If you want to see more of the market first, our guide to painters in Malta lists other artists, and 2B Gallery is a listed gallery on the main island.

Prices are not published on the pages used for this listing, so we have not quoted any. Discuss them directly when you enquire.

Meet the artist and his journey

The site includes sections called My Journey and Meet the Artist, which suggest a painter who is happy to talk about how his work developed. For a buyer, that conversation is part of the value. Knowing why a particular dome or balcony has been painted the way it has makes a picture more meaningful on your wall.

Kevin Sciberras works in a semi abstract idiom, which means the original building is still readable but has been simplified and rearranged. If you like clean geometry and colour, you will probably enjoy his approach. If you prefer very literal views, it is worth looking at the gallery page before you commit to a visit.

Żurrieq and the south of Malta

Żurrieq is a village in the south west of the island, close to some of Malta's best known sights. The Blue Grotto boat trips set off from nearby, and the prehistoric Ħaġar Qim temples are a short drive away in Qrendi. A studio visit fits naturally into a day exploring this stretch of coast.

For wider planning, our things to do in Malta page covers the main attractions, and the Knights of Malta guide gives the history behind many of the buildings that appear in these paintings.

How to start

Tell the artist what you are looking for: a subject such as a church or a balcony, a rough size, or a time when you could visit the studio. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the artist.