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Artist Statement:

“My work draws on historical imagery to confront it with the turbulence of today’s politics, culture, religion, and the dissonance of the information age. Through painting, drawing, and layered media, I explore the fragile intersection of beauty and collapse, inviting the viewer into a space where past and present negotiate meaning. My work, shaped by art history, design, and teaching, seeks not to resolve but to expose the tensions and uncertainties of our time.”


Biography:

Mario Abela is a Maltese artist whose work spans diverse mediums and techniques, primarily painting and drawing. A self-taught artist, he brings a background in art and history education, digital arts, and 15 years of experience as a freelance graphic designer to his practice. He later transitioned to dedicating himself fully to the visual arts.

Abela has received numerous accolades, including winning the PRISMA ART PRIZE in Rome (2025), winning the CREA OPEN in Venice (2025), and being a finalist for the Spring 2023, HOPPER ART PRIZE (USA), among others. His work has been featured in various group and solo exhibitions in Malta and abroad.

Abela is a senior lecturer at MCAST - The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology - Institute for the Creative Arts.

In 2024, Cretacolor Vienna named him one of their brand ambassadors.

 

Solo Shows:

  • Shadows Of A Wanderer; physical and online exhibition; 2023

  • Covid-eo Of A Thought; online exhibition; 2020

  • Leave at Dawn - Return by Dusk; Abraham’s Arte at Vini e Capricci, Gozitano, Xewkija, Gozo, Malta; 2019

  • Dislocated Geographies; Spazju Kreattiv – St. James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta; 2018

  • Wood Love Some Space; Art..e Gallery, Victoria, Gozo, Malta; 2015/2016



Collective Shows:

  • 2570 Revolutions around the Earth - CREAOPEN 2025 - Cantieri del Contemporaneo - Legno e Legno - Venice;  2025 

  • Space & Time, Curated by Boris F. Kudlička, Artists: Various, Luginland of Art, Villa Luginsland, Rabat, Malta; 2024

  • Unknown Prescription, Curated by Austin Camilleri. Artists: Mario Abela, Charles Balzan & Justin Falzon, Il-Hagar Museum, Victoria, Gozo, Malta; 2024

  • Far Reach, R-Gallery at Mahalla Berlin, (during the Berlin Art Week), Germany; 2023

  • Anthropo Sans Future, Curated by Christine Xuereb Seidu, Christine X Gallery, Sliema, Malta; 2022

  • Anthropos, Artists: Mario Abela, Victor Agius, and Tony Briffa, Arthall Gallery, Victoria, Gozo, Malta; 2021

  • the in-between place of drawing & sound #2, an audio-visual performance at the Malta Electronic Music Conference / / by EMM - Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta; 2019

  • Wiki Loves Art 2019, Art from the Fondazzjoni Kreattività, Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta; 2019

  • The World is No Longer Flat, European Court of Auditors, Luxembourg; 2018

  • Remembering the Future, Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta; 2018

  • the in-between place of drawing & sound #1, an audio-visual performance at Generic Wedding, dorothea.space, Gozo, Malta; 2018

  • Cosmic Perspectives, Ugly Duck, London; 2018

  • Being Us – Mario Abela & Justin Falzon: Art..e Gallery, Gozo, Malta; 2018

  • Constellations: Art Licks Weekend, The Crypt, St John on Bethnal Green, London; 2017

  • Residency Final Show; Chiesa di San Francesco, Atina, Italy; 2017

  • Of Spatial Concerns; Malta Stock Exchange, Valletta, Malta; 2016

  • Divergent Thinkers 03; Blitz Gallery, Valletta Malta; 2014 – Brussels; 2014

  • Duke of Edinburgh Room 36; Sentinella Hall, The Gozo Citadel, Gozo, Malta; 2013

  • Religionis Violenta; The London Westbank Gallery, United Kingdom; (Runner-up winner after Magnus Gjoen); 2012

  • Traces of Traces; Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta; 2012

  • ¨Why art cannot be taught¨ Curator James Elkins. Collective Exhibition at Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta; 2006


Rewards:

Residencies:

  • Lumen Art Residency; Atina, Italy; 2017 – www.lumenstudios.co.uk

 

Education:

  • Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) Digital Arts – University of Malta; 2013

  • Bachelor of Education – University of Malta; 2005