The work of renowned Maltese architect and artist Richard England will be showcased in a retrospective exhibition featuring his architecture, sculpture, graphics and art.
Starting today, the exhibition will remain open until July 19 at the main offices of Bank of Valletta in Santa Venera.
The catalogue carries an introduction by Italian architect Renzo Piano who says: “Richard England is a master builder, his walls breathe, yet they are walls which are anchored to the ground and their individual elements interact and merge perfectly. It is from the articulation and the joints in an edifice that one recognizes the real maker of buildings, and it is thanks to this quality that England’s architectural work avoids appearing romantic. It is an architecture which is local, but also global, for his language is the language of poetry”.
The exhibition curator is Charles Knevitt, former correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph and The Times and former director of the Royal Institute of British Architect Trust. Mr Knevitt is also the author of two monographs on Richard England’s works.
“England has worked with Malta’s local tradition – not against it, respecting mass over void, shade over direct sunlight, topography, climate, materials and the memory of place.”
Among England’s best known works are the St Joseph church in Manikata, the Central Bank of Malta Annexe, the Millennium Chapel and the rehabilitation of St James Cavalier Centre in Valletta.
His works can be seen on www.richardengland.com.