Maltese artist Matthew Attard is keenly interested in situating his practice within the realm of contemporary drawing through a multimedia approach that highlights the versatile, performative and temporal nature of drawing. His interest in understanding looking as a form of drawing (its perceptual, physiological and cultural dimensions) was the focus of his practice-based PhD research at Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh, funded by the Malta Arts Scholarships Programme. Matthew is the solo artist of the Malta Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, with the project I WILL FOLLOW THE SHIP.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I look at the time and hope I haven’t hit the snooze button too many times.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I think I’ve received a lot of good advice over the years, all for different reasons. One of the best pieces of advice came to me when I got my first degree, and that was to apply for Peggy Guggenheim’s internship program in Venice.
What do you never leave at home?
My sunglasses… except when I lose them.
Choose three words that describe you.
Ambitious, intuitive and calm.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
This is the recent exhibition I WILL FOLLOW THE SHIP, which represents the Maltese Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, which is currently taking place. The Venice Biennale is one of the most prestigious international exhibitions and having the opportunity to exhibit as a solo artist in the pavilion while representing my country certainly brings with it a mix of important challenges and great satisfactions.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
I like to follow the football scores live, for some reason it relaxes me, although I don’t really watch the games.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
One lesson is that while one should dream big, it is equally important to keep one’s feet on the ground. This helps dreams, ambitions and ideas materialise as one keeps working towards them at one’s own pace. I hope (in fact, I’m sure) that there are more lessons to come.
Leaving aside property and cars, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought?
This is probably my current computer in combination with the eye tracking device.
What do you wish you had known when you were younger?
That it’s okay to make mistakes, or rather, that it’s impossible not to make them.
Who is your inspiration?
I often find it difficult to express my influences and inspirations because many of them act in subtle ways and gain importance over time. I think sources of inspiration vary greatly and for me they start with family and friends, along with colleagues and artists I admire and respect. I believe that every impactful encounter has the power to influence.
What has been your biggest challenge?
For the past few years, this was my PhD research, which I conducted at the University of Edinburgh. I had started my studies in December 2019 and, a few months after moving to Edinburgh, we were going through the COVID-19 lockdown periods worldwide.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing?
It’s very difficult to answer this when everything I do is related to artistic creation. If this were not an option, I would like to be a writer… but that doesn’t mean I would be good at it!
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
As I mentioned the internship, I’ll stick with Peggy Guggenheim. It would be fascinating to hear her story.
What is your worst habit?
I get easily distracted by anything, and by answering these questions, I’m proving myself right.
What are you like when you’re drunk?
I think it’s best to answer this with “I don’t remember.”
Who would you like to play you in a movie?
I don’t think there will ever be a movie that I’ll be in, but could I hypothetically cast Benedict Cumberbatch for his mesmerizing acting skills?
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Any form of bullying.
What music would you have played at your own funeral?
I would like whoever attends the funeral to be able to choose.
What is your most prized material possession?
A small drawing by César Attard.
What is your first memory?
One of my earliest memories is spending time at my Grandma Rose’s house.
When did you last cry, and why?
At the Venice pavilion when I finally got to see the finished installation.
Who would you most like to meet?
I just want to continue meeting people who enrich my life experience and what I do.
What is your favorite food?
Mediterranean food.
Who is your favorite person on social media right now?
It’s not a person, but the account of the James Webb Space Telescope.
If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
I would like to spend a day in each era and, if possible, among different cultures.
What book are you reading now?
I finally started reading Sajf by Ryan Falzon.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Being able to breathe underwater.
What do you want to do before you die?
I just want to keep doing what I’m doing and work on the artistic projects that will develop in the future. I hope they will take me to new places and expand my life experience.
What music are you listening to right now?
I’m currently stuck on The Smile albums.
In the shower or when you exercise, what do you sing or listen to?
I’m so bad at singing that my own singing irritates me, so I don’t sing!
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