ARTIST IN RESIDENCE – at ‘The Phoenicia Malta’ in Floriana
(August 2022)

The Management of The Phoenicia Hotel, has invited sculptor Joe Xuereb as ARTIST IN RESIDENCE for the month of September 2022.

‘An Ode in Stone’ is the title chosen to this upcoming Exhibition which is going to happen at the Hotel’s lavish Gardens and in the Bastion Pool area that carries breathtaking views of Marsamxett.

The sculptor plans to display 20 of his larger limestone sculptures which undoubtedly will fit to the natural ambience of the place. The renowned photographer Daniel Cilia has been entrusted with the photography of the art pieces while Paul Stellini is behind the designing of a new brochure accompanying the exhibition.

The vernissage of the Exhibition will take place on Monday 5 th September 2022 at 7.00pm

The exhibition ‘An Ode in Stone’ is being curated by Prof. Louis Laganà Ph.D

SCULPTURAL WORKS FEATURE IN AN ITALIAN PUBLICATION
(August 2017)

Coinciding with the 150th Anniversary celebrations of Italy’s Unification, Prof.ssa Angela Picca residing in Rome, has published in 2012, “Pugliesi per l’Italia unita” (Volume 1) dealing about the Risorgimento Italiano. After five hardous years, the same author has just published her Volume 2 of the “Pugliesi per l’Italia unita” - ‘Sulle orme degli esuli’ in July 2017 in which Prof.ssa Angela Picca elaborates thoroughly about the exiles that left the Kingdom of Naples and took refuge in Greece, Corfu and Malta. A detailed and much elaborated chapter, is the one that deals about the Maltese Archipelago where the author mentions her visit to Gozo in 2013 from where she started writing her Volume 2. Prof.ssa Angela Picca mentions among different local themes, Malta’s prehistory; the megalithic temples, the ‘Sleeping Lady’ and when she met the Gozitan stone sculptor Joe Xuereb and his contemporary works from which Prof.ssa Picca chose one of his sculptures which she has printed in her lavish publication. She further mentions in her book, Xuereb’s monumental public sculptures which one can find on permanent display at Rundle Gardens in Victoria, Gozo and in Verdala Palace.

The publication carries an acknowledgment by H.E. Vanessa Frazier, Ambassador of Malta in Rome and the Greek Ambassador in Rome, H.E.Themistoklis Demires. Prof.ssa Angela Picca, the author of “Pugliesi per l’Italia unita” has graduated from Rome La Sapienza University in Modern Literature and in History of Oriental Art.

The official book launch in Malta will place on Sunday 12th November 2017 at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta during the upcoming Book Festival 2017 where Prof.ssa Angela Picca will be proudly attending.

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION - FRANKFURT, GERMANY.
(19^th November 2015 - 13^th December 2015)

‘The Spirit of an Island’

19th November to 13th December 2015

AusstellungsHalle 1A, Schulstraße 1, 60594 Frankfurt

Vernissage: Wednesday 18th November 2015 - 19.00 hr

Part of ‘European Cultural Days’ of the European Central Bank

Verdala Sculpture Garden……‘RESPECT’…..H.204 cms
(March 2014)

The President of the Republic, Dr. George Abela, has taken another initiative to organise the ‘Verdala Sculpture Garden’ set in the gardens of the historical Verdala Palace that lies in Rabat, Malta near the silent city of Mdina. The main idea behind Malta’s first sculpture garden project, is to enhance the local artistic scene and also to permit that the grounds of the Palace have to be open to the general public to view the permanent sculpture exhibition.

For this purpose, the organising committee have chosen 10 contemporary Malta based sculptors and Joe Xuereb was one among those asked to present one of their sculptural works. Each artist was asked to prepare a model/maquette of his project to be displayed in an exhibition held purposely in July 2013 at the same Verdala Palace, to launch officially this Sculpture Garden to the local media.

Joe Xuereb, who was specifically asked to use the local limestone as the medium for this project, has designed a composition of two very expressive figures standing close one to the other and titled ‘RESPECT’. These were carved from stone blocks of 2 mtrs in height and when finished each figure weighed approximately 2.6 tons. The mutual expression of the seated figures convey a sense of respect one toward the other. However it remains essentially an element of paramount importance that we cultivate this value of respect in all our communities through an open-ended, fully inclusive and quality-based attitude and policy. Hence, if ‘respect’ is conducted on a daily routine, all mankind can benefit from an enhanced and peaceful living and sustainable environment.

Tuesday 4th March 2014 was the date chosen when H.E. the President of the Republic inaugurated officially the Verdala Sculpture Garden in the presence of many guests. Each sculptor was then asked to give a short description of his work. Besides Xuereb’s limestone sculptures, there are ceramic works, steel and metal, hard stone, mixed media and one interactive sculpture. In another part of the garden, another 4 sculptural works are being displayed temporary by students of MCAST Art & Design Institute who were also responsible for planning the layout of this Sculpture Garden.

It is to be remarked that the Verdala Palace was built by Grandmaster Hughues Loubenx de Verdalle in 1586.

Gozo Gossiping – Public Monument
(August 2012)

On Tuesday 14th August 2012, The Minister for Gozo, Mrs. Giovanna Debono, inaugurated two public monuments at Villa Rundle Gardens in the center of Victoria as part of ‘The Public Art in Gozo’ scheme. The occasion happened during the official launch of the Agricultural Show that is held annually during the Santa Maria festa at the same gardens, for which the Bishop of Gozo, Mons. Mario Grech also attended.

Gozitan sculptor Joe Xuereb has designed and carved the monument “Gozo Gossiping” from massive limestone blocks that were brought over from Siggiewi in Malta since the material is considered to be of very good quality. The sculpture is composed of two seated figures; the biggest of height of 180cm by 145cm in length by 95cm in width and standing on a low flat pedestal of height of 40cm by 245cm long by 125cm wide, both figures chattering and whispering, a local characteristic that takes place especially when we meet outdoors in such natural ambience that Rundle Gardens can offer to the general public. Close by Xuereb’s ‘Gozo Gossiping’ monument, the Maltese sculptor Angelo Agius has erected his bronze sculpture titled “Serenity” that contrasts nicely with the honey colored medium of the local limestone.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono who inaugurated these works of art, praised the artists great creativity, and said that by year’s end a total of 13 monuments will be put in place in various locations around the island.
The Minister concluded by saying that this scheme, which is one of the initiatives taken by the Action Plan for Eco-Gozo 2010 – 2012, will give the Gozitan people and all those who visit the island the opportunity to enjoy works of art on the street, and not just between the four walls of a museum, whilst also highlighting the outstanding work of local artists.

Overall 64 artists have participated in this scheme, producing a variety of works of art from both Gozo and Malta, as well as works of art produced by foreigners who reside in Gozo and Malta.

Donation to Arka Foundation in Ghajnsielem
(May 2012)

The ‘London Charities Association’ has this year made another donation of €5000- to the Arka Foundation in Ghajnsielem after also donating €13,000- and €10,000- in the past two years. These funds are raised during the annual Gala Dinner that the Association holds in November at ‘The Landmark’ in London where local artists make contributions of their art to be auctioned during the fund raising event.

Joe Xuereb , who has offered two medium sized sculptures raising the sum of €2500-, has been contributing for this event for the past 11 years.

Mrs. Tina Rapinet made the official cheque presentation to Mgr.Emmanuel Curmi, director and founder of Arka Respite Center in the presence of Mr. Michael Rapinet and sculptor Joe Xuereb.

Public Art in Gozo Scheme
(DECEMBER 2011)

In an effort to embellish different locations on the island of Gozo with contemporary works of art, the Gozo Ministry launched a sculpture exhibition/competition in February 2011 in which about 150 designs have been submitted for selection from Maltese and Gozitan based artists.

Joe Xuereb’s sole entry titled ‘Gozo Gossiping’ has been selected among the first 20 projects. It has been agreed that the monumental sculpture of height of 175cm, will be worked in the local limestone. The project will consist of two seated figures in gossiping and relaxing mood and will be positioned at the newly refurbished Victoria Public Gardens.

On 6th December 2011, Joe Xuereb signed a contract with the Eco-Gozo Regional Development – Ministry for Gozo, for the execution of the ‘Gozo Gossiping’ monumental sculpture project which has to be put in place by end July 2012.

Donation to ARKA Foundation in Ghajnsielem
(APRIL 2007)

Joe Xuereb was one of the contributors to the Maltese Charities Association of London by donating for free, one of his sculptures which was auctioned during their annual Grand Ball held in November 2006 at the Landmark Hotel to raise funds for Maltese Charities. Actually all the art pieces were auctioned during the fund-raising event and Joe’s sculpture fetched a remarkable price of GBP £1600-

On Joe’s recommendation, the London society has accepted that they make a contribution of £M1000- to “Arka Foundation”, the only respite center based over on Gozo. For the official presentation held in April 2007, Mrs Tina Rapinet, one of the committee members, came over to Gozo and made the donation to Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Curmi, director of Arka Foundation.

The Malta Charities Association has been established for the last 19 years during which the association has managed to distribute about GBP £250,000- to various charitable and philanthropic organizations in Malta and Gozo.

Sculpture Photo exhibited in Tokyo
(JULY 2006)

During July 2006, a photography exhibition titled “EOS Digital Works” and organized by Canon in Tokyo, 16 photographers were selected throughout Japan among whom there was Yasutake ITO. Mr Ito a professional photographer happened to have visited Joe Xuereb Gallery in Ghajnsielem, Gozo and for his entry to the exhibition held at the Canon Gallery Ginza in Tokyo, Mr ITO has chosen 2 photos of Joe Xuereb sculptures which he has shown to the Japanese public. It is estimated that round 1000 persons visited the show on a daily basis. Mr ITO was amused to note that people used to stop and admire the photo portraying the Gozitan sculptor holding one of his latest works!

Sculptures exhibited in New York
(MARCH 2006)

Joe Xuereb has signed a one year contract to have a representation of his works exhibited at the “Salon” of Montserrat Gallery, New York, U.S.A. from March 2006 to February 2007. This contact with Montserrat Gallery was possible after the management of this Gallery has viewed Xuereb’s work on the internet and invited Xuereb to show his sculptures in their “Salon”

Montserrat Gallery has been in the art scene for almost 20 years and it is located in the new hub for art in Chelsea, New York. The gallery has achieved a reputation as one of Manhattan's most consistently and innovative exhibition spaces for artists from USA and abroad. Many discerning art collectors and art critics were drawn to Montserrat Gallery for its stimulating roster of painters, sculptors and artists working in various new media.

Xuereb has already exhibited at the Lincoln Centre, New York, in 1996 in a collective exhibition of Maltese art, that took place at Fordham University terrace.  For more information about this New York venture, one can make contact with Michelle of Montserrat Gallery on tel. nr. 21-268-0088

Montserrat Gallery
547 West 27th Street
New York
NY 10001

(Gallery opening hours between 12.00pm to 18.00hrs from Tuesday to Saturday)

The Duke of Edinburgh unveils Joe Xuereb’s Monumental Sculpture
(NOVEMBER 2005)

Joe Xuereb has been commissioned by the Gozo Ministry to design and carve a sculpture to commemorate the official visit to Gozo by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who accompanied Queen Elizabeth when she visited Malta to attend for the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting. The sculpture is now being exhibited permanently at the entrance of the Gozo Ministry building in St Francis Square in Victoria.

Xuereb has worked from a large block of stone of height of 122 cm and has titled his work of art as "Life Within the Commonwealth" In his design endeavors, he tried to show that the whole sculpture represents the Commonwealth with its individual members. The two entwined ends portray the special friendship and close relations between Great Britain and Malta whereby the Gozitan limestone represents the island of Gozo. During the official ceremony Joe Xuereb has been acclaimed for his accomplishment.

As part of the itinerary planned for his official visit to the island of Gozo , HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited ‘The Gozo Ministry’ in Victoria being accompanied by the Minister for Gozo, the Hon. Giovanna Debono throughout his stay. In fact upon arrival for the unveiling ceremony the Hon Minister introduced HRH The Duke to sculptor Joe Xuereb who chatted with him for a while and then proceeded with the ceremony. The Duke commented very positively for the design in the local limestone so much so that he touched the sculpture to feel the tactile and smooth finish.

The monumental sculpture project has been sponsored by the British High Commission who were also responsible for most of the organization of the official visit to Malta by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. In fact the wording inscribed in gold colour on the black granite pedestal on which the sculpture is now nicely displayed, read as:

Presented to the people of Gozo
by the British high Commission and unveiled by
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
on the occasion of his visit to Gozo
25th November 2005

"In Celebration of the Friendship and Heritage we share"