January 2010

The ability to put one's perspective of what's around us on paper or canvas by means of hands, a brush and some paint always intrigued Cynthia Saliba.  Influenced by American and Japanese art, her style can be described as a mixture of surrealist, cartoonesque and figurative.

Cynthia Saliba began painting by attending private tuition under the patronage of Nicolette Vella at the age of eight, learning the basics.  She continued her tuition at the Gozo school of Art in Ghajnsielem, where she learned various techniques. The rest came by successfully completing the national diploma in graphic design and the higher national certificate in graphic design at the Mcast institute of Art and Design Malta.

In 2006 Cynthia participated in the International Antismoking Youth Festival organised by Hellenic Action Against Cancer by means of a drawing which placed first in its category.

Various graphic design works include artworks for the Malta Health promotion department, the 2008-09 logo for the Gozo diocesan mission and various freelance works.

Maltese Animalia is Cynthia's first solo exhibition.  Her paintings show various creatures home to the Maltese islands interwined with the human being.  By animalizing and humanizing she created fantastical landscapes all true to the Maltese islands.