The Vibrant
Cultural Scene
in Cottonera
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MICALLEF GRIMAUD
James
from
San Gwann
from
L-Isla
James
all artists
On this page we present you the art and culture scene of the Cottonera.
‘Artists in the Cottonera - who are the ones to watch’
What's on?
James is an exception to our selection of artists because he was neither born nor raised in the Cottonera and does not live here either. However, his art is visible every day far beyond the Cottonera and has significantly shaped the area. One can say that he created the largest modern work of art (in terms of volume and size) in the Cottonera.
Giraffa is a 120m high installation at the Malta, Grand harbour where a zoomorphic identity is given to the largest crane in the dry docks. The installation creates a link between the African and European continent. The pattern derives from the Kordofan giraffe which is one of the most endangered giraffe species due to the war-thorn parts of Africa its is found in. Through the Grand harbour the giraffe is given a place of refuge. This installation is also situated in one of the most densely populated areas in Malta which amplifies the need for a change in our views of nature, a change in our relationship with the environment.
The Giraffe was part of the Valletta 2018’s major visual arts exhibition, Dal-Baħar Madwarha (The Island is What the Sea Surrounds)
The artist view during working on the Giraffa
Considered to be the pioneer of street art on the Maltese islands. James is responsible for the first graffiti and large scale murals on the island. His work originates from an intimate relationship with the community. He defines himself as an artist/anarchist. In his work he seeks to show the fragility, transformation, gentrification and progressive dematerialisation of the cultural, strongly pronounced within the vibrant Mediterranean culture in which the resident artist works. He has held several solo exhibitions and participated in collective shows both locally and internationally whilst also collaborating with various artists in exhibitions and street art projects all over the globe. 'I started doing graffiti in the mid nineties in the streets of Malta mostly out of boredom and since i had no money to buy canvases, i'd use walls etc to express myself. There was no one doing anything or who had done anything back then so i got the title of pioneer of street art in Malta.
Giraffa is a 120m high installation at the Malta, Grand harbour where a zoomorphic identity is given to the largest crane in the dry docks. The installation creates a link between the African and European continent.
The pattern derives from the Kordofan giraffe which is one of the most endangered giraffe species due to the war-thorn parts of Africa its is found in. Through the Grand harbour the giraffe is given a place of refuge.
This installation is also situated in one of the most densely populated areas in Malta which amplifies the need for a change in our views of nature, a change in our relationship with the environment.
The Giraffe was part of the Valletta 2018’s major visual arts exhibition, Dal-Baħar Madwarha (The Island is What the Sea Surrounds)
some of his other works
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