Born on September 28th, 1946, at Rabat, Malta and now residing in Santa Venera, Paul Galea was brought up and lived most of his years on the very outskirts of that village adorned by pure countryside and enriched with historical spots.
In an environment of unspoiled countryside that surrounded his residential area and within an
atmosphere that envelopes a typical maltese village,
he developed a deep love for maltese themes
and grew a determination to record their beauty, to capture the light, moistness and atmosphere
as well as their shapes and colours.
The old buildings, rural streets and the village feasts were among his first inspirations and were later to become his favourite subjects.
Paul's sensitivity is felt spreading its presence across his works of art. He records rural and street scenes with great delicacy. To achieve a greater effect, he also zooms on architectural and monumental sites while focusing on local churches and other predominant features that pierce the sky.
In today's mad rush to get things done and to overcome the problems that entangle our puzzled world, his inner spirit yearns for a more rewarding, simpler form of life. The world is often an assemblage of colours, shades, and changing tonalities that are captured in Paul's paintings to transmit his desire for a better appreciation of all the natural splendour that adorns the world.
Having been encouraged by his first primary school art teacher, Mro Carmelo Tonna, he practised drawing and painting since his early childhood. Perhaps that little brown pencil that Mro Tonna had presented him for drawing the best maltese flag in class was the foundation stone for his art carrier.
During the late 60's he attended painting lessons at the School of Arts, Msida, and during the early 90's he completed a graphic design course at the School of Arts and Design, Valletta, in order to develop his artistic skills. Apart from drawing and painting, he also enjoys doing crafts works.
Paul is an artist who is capable to transform the beauty that is unnoticed by the common eye into a work of art. His palette colours balanced in his artistic compositions create an atmosphere that no photographic camera is capable to achieve.
He is mainly a naturalist artist, with a conservative feeling running through his art. His style is popular among the average man in the street and is a favourite among those who frequent the art galleries in search of figurative maltese themes.
Though he varies the subject of his works, the maltese landscape and environment dominates most of all. A countryside or village detail, a dilapidated building and anything that reflects the maltese heritage normally attracts him to express on canvas a certain beauty that only the eye of an artist could capture. His works are normally planned beforehand so when he puts his brush on canvas he is rather conscious about the result and nothing is left to chance.
Paul has participated in many collective art exhibitions locally and abroad. His works, mainly in oils, acrylics, charcoal and ink, are found in various private collections in Malta and many other countries. They range from miniatures to stage-scenes. Though subjects of a Maltese flavour are in abundance, his works also include still life, portraits, abstract art, graphic designs and a variety of religious and everyday themes.