User:Quilbrush/sandbox/John Busuttil Leaver, artist painter

John Busuttil Leaver


John Busuttil Leaver (born October 26, 1964, Republic of Malta), visual artist. Drawing and oil painting are his preferred media. He is philosophical about his work and sees what he does as non-commercial: a statement about the contemporary and its preservation for posterity.

He studied art under vetern hard edge painter Harry Alden at the Malta Government School of art, then by attending The Art and Design Centre, Valletta (An Italian Government collaboration with Italian teachers like Mollicone and Varoli).

He has been culturally active by participating in many collectives. He spent some years writing about contemporary art in the press.

His first important one-man exhibition was held at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta in 1997. Other one-man shows followed in various galleries and art venues. His largest show named 'A Diary of Obsessions', was held in 2008, at the prestigious Saint James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta. In April 2014 he exhibited work in London.

His work was given recognition by a number of art critics and curators. He was included in Nicholas de Piro's, Dictionary of Artists who painted Malta, and in Michael J. Schiavone's, "Dictionary of Maltese Biographies". Art critics, Emanuel Fiorentino, Dominic Cutajar, Dennis Vella, Adrian Stivala and Raphael Vella covered his exhibitions. Art curator Dr Louis Lagana gave the inaugural speech for the 2008 show and published an article about this work. The Times ran a major feature about this exhibition. It had also published two full page interviews on previous occasions. A Maltese language annual featured a painting on its front cover. He won a number of art competitions and was featured in radio and TV programmes most noteworthy of which was a Canadian TV Cultural programme, 'TV Frames', during their feature on Malta.

Collective

 * Maltafest, National Arts Festival, Valletta, Malta  1984/87/88/89/90/96/97.
 * Lion's Club Art Collective, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Malta 1987/93.
 * Industrial Design Competition Exhibition (PL Light fitting), National Museum of Fine Arts,Valletta, Malta 1986.
 * Maltese German Circle, Valletta, Malta 1987 Chamber of Commerce, Valletta, Malta 1988.
 * Arti Independenza, National Gallery of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta 1989.
 * Muzikafest Art, (NSTF), Malta University, 1989.
 * Solidarity with Poland Art Show, MUT Premises, Valletta, Malta 1989.
 * Din L-Art Helwa, Malta National Trust Art Show, Naxxar, Malta 1990/91.
 * MAS Charity Collective, Chamber of Commerce, Valletta, Malta 1991.
 * Permatex Art Show, Royal British Legion, Valletta, Malta 1992.
 * Association of Maltese Artists, Palazzo De La Salle, Valletta, Malta 1992.
 * Teacher's Whiskey Art Award Finalist's Show, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta −1992/93/95.
 * Cathedral Museum Collective Contemporary Art Show, Mdina 1994/5/6.
 * Kreativa, Finalist Collective Show (Institute of Visual Arts), National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta 1996.
 * Mithna ta' Ganu Arts Centre, Birkirkara, Malta. 1996.
 * Contemporary Christian Art in Malta, Cathedral Museum, Mdina 1996, 2007.
 * Eden Foundation Art Charity Show, Gozo, 1997/98.
 * SEDQA – Art, Substance of Life, University Campus April 2000.
 * First National Art Competition 2002 – Trade Fair Grounds Naxxar–November 2002.
 * Millennium Chapel Foundation, Group Charity show – Hilton Malta, November 2003.
 * De La Salle Brothers Centenary Show, Palazzo De La Salle,Valletta, 2003.
 * Girgenti (Prime Minister's official residence) open day collective- Palazz tal-Inquizitur, Girgenti, Malta 2006.
 * Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar Christmas Collective – Casino Maltese, Valletta, 2008.
 * Birgu Art Collective – Maritime Museum, Birgu, Malta, 2009

Personal

 * 'Circles', Auberge de Provence, Valletta, Malta, Nov 1988.
 * 'Painting', New Gallery, National Museum of Archaeology, Malta, Dec 1991.
 * 'Majjistral', National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta 1997.
 * 'Manscapes',The Labyrinth Art Gallery' Valletta, Malta 1999.
 * 'Woman', Le Meridian Phoenicia, Floriana, Malta 2002.
 * 'BLU', VGB Art Gallery, Valletta, Malta 2002.
 * 'Green', VGB Art Gallery, Valletta, Malta 2004.
 * 'RETRO-04', Cleland & Souchet, Portomaso, Malta 2004.
 * 'Unseen Selections', Corinthia Palace Hotel, San Anton 2004.
 * 'A Diary of Obsessions', St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity, Valletta, Malta, 2008