Biography

In the studio in 2006

“In recent years Anna Grima’s work became more abstract and vibrant as we see in her diptych Echoes of the Music of the Spheres. The artist explores other realms of the unconscious; a kind of automatism; when colours are applied on canvas deliberately and spontaneously in an unconscious manner until objects and images like spirals and circular motifs start to appear and the artist takes the conscious control of the final vision of the work. Yet her inspiration remains strongly derived by the images of Prehistoric Malta, the cyclical cycles of nature, ritual and symbolism and ancient spirituality.” 

– Louis Laganà

Art historian, art critic, curator and practicing artist.

Biographical Notes

1958Born in Malta
1979–81National School of Arts, Malta
1982–84Accademia di Belle Arti, Perugia, Italy
1984–89Sailing/ Painting Expedition from the Mediterranean Sea to the
Indian Ocean
1989–92Elected member of the Aesthetics Board – A statutory body established to consider planning applications under the Aesthetics Ordinance
1990–93Assistant Curator, Melitensia Art Gallery, Malta
1999Demarco European Art Foundation Summer School, Malta
2000–03Member on the interim board of directors of St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity
2003–09Partner, AG Design Group
2011–14Master in Fine Art and Digital Media, University of Malta
2014–16VIVA Curatorial School, Valletta, Malta
2014–20University Lecturer, Department of Digital Art, University of Malta
The Way of the Heart Exhibition, St James Cavalier, with the late Prof. Guido de Marco, President Emeritus of Malta and the Hon. Dr. Louis Galea Minister of Culture – 2002

Anna Grima MA (b. 1958) lives and works in Malta and Gozo. Throughout her career, Anna has been known for having a portfolio of work that includes elements of energy, and complexity. Although considered a figurative artist, her recent Abstract paintings are about exploring form and colour with spontaneous, simplified rhythmic shapes and saturated hues. Interdisciplinary art practices include painting, drawing and illustration, creative writing and print-making.

Anna’s earliest influence was her aunt, artist Blanche Ellul Sullivan (1907–2002). Concerned with the spiritual in art, Anna was also influenced by Wassily Kandinsky, Odilon Redon, and early 20th century illustrator, Kay Nielsen. In 1981, she studied Foundation at the National School of Arts, Malta, followed by a scholarship to study figure drawing at the Accademia di Belle Arti Pietro Vannucci, Perugia granted by the Italian Cultural Institute. In 1982, Anna exhibited for the first time in the collective Maltese Women Artists at Gallery Fenici, curated by Norbert Attard and Denis Vella (1953-2009). Her first solo exhibition was at Galerie Ripard, Fontainebleau in Paris in 1984, followed by a painting/sailing expedition for 6 years in the Indian and Pacific Oceans practicing the ancient Japanese art of Gyotaku at sea around the Indonesian archipelago, later to exhibit her works in Western Australia and San Francisco Ca.

Grima’s ever evolving recent work was exhibited at the Mdina Biennale in 2015 along with artists like Dario Fo, Francesco Infante, and Richard England. Many of her works hang in private and public spaces including in the National Art Collection of Malta through the Fondazzjoni Kreattività Art Collection; and in the permanent Berlaymont summa artis II Collection at the Berlaymont Building, House of the European Commission in Brussels, representing Malta.

Solo Exhibitions

2017Moments of Gold – Art e Gallery, Victoria, Gozo
2014The Birth and Death of Stars – in SEAC: The Materiality of the Sky, the University of Malta and Heritage Malta, Aula Magna Campus, Valletta
2004Native Spirit – Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery G, Villa Gourgion, Lija, Malta
2002The Way of the Heart – St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta
1998Stone Goddess – Manoel Theatre, Valletta, Malta
1997Maltese Street Scenes – Kennedy Nova, the Strand, Sliema, Malta
1995Earth and Sky – University of Malta, Msida, Malta
1992Maltese Landscape and Still Life – Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
1989Reflecting Gozo – Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
1986Marine Life in watercolour – Esplanade Plaza Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia 
1985Malta in watercolour – Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
1984The Nude in watercolour – Galerie Ripard, Fontainbleau, Paris, France
Painting on board ‘Line Marie’ – 1988

Selected Group Exhibitions

2023‘Collectibles’ Marie Gallery, The Centre – Tignè Point. Official Launch.
2022The Colour Project, Modern Art Gallery, Marsaskala 
MARA – Bureau Iniala, Valletta, Malta 
2020Art+Feminism – Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, Malta
2019Wiki loves Art/Art+Feminism – Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, Malta
Longing and Belonging – Malta Enterprise, Pietà, Malta
The Fine Arts Auction – President’s Palace, Attard, Malta
2018Id-Dinja M’Għadiex Ċatta – European Court of Auditors, Luxembourg
2017The Fabriano in Watercolour 2017 Exhibition, Fabriano, Italy.
2015Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Biennale – Mdina Museum, Malta; root; route; rotot; għeruq – Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa, Malta
2014Propolis – MFA Degree Exhibition, Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, Malta
Summa Artis Collection – The Berlaymont Building, Brussels, Belgium
2012APS Bank Exhibition – APS Centre, Birkirkara, Malta
2011Strada Stretta – ‘Splendid’ 74, Strait Street Valletta, Malta
2010Woman’s Day – President’s Palace, Attard, Malta
Heritage at Risk – National Museum of Natural History, Mdina, Malta
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever – Angeli Gallery, Sliema, Malta
A Night of Art – Camilleri Paris Mode, Rabat, Malta
2009The Fine Art Auction – President’s Palace, Attard, Malta
2008Bloodline – Gallery G, Villa Gourgion, Lija, Malta
2007Metageum ’07: Exploring the Megalithic Mind – Carraffa Stores, Birgu, Malta
2005Ten Watercolourists – Gallery G, Villa Gourgion, Lija, Malta
Sacred Footprints – Neolithia Foundation and Peninsula Arts, Plymouth University, UK
Wine and Vineyards – Camilleri Wines, Gallery G, Villa Gourgion, Lija, Malta
2004Caravaggio, La Mostra Impossibile – Carraffa Stores, Birgu, Malta
2001Angels – St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta
70/2000, The Road to Meikel Seiggie – Demarco European Art Foundation, Gallery Vilnius, Lithuania Neolithia – Neolithia Foundation, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, Malta
2000Temples Malta – Californian Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, USA
The Scottish Rites Temple, Oakland and The Bade Gallery, Berkley University, California, USA
70/2000, The Road to Meikel Seiggie – Picker Gallery, Kingston, UK
200070/2000, The Road to Meikel Seiggie – Picker Gallery, Kingston, UK
Art in Malta Today – National Arts Centre, St. James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta
1999Sacred Journeys – Demarco European Art Foundation and Matthew Gallery,
Edinburgh Arts Festival, Scotland
Seven Temples Seven Women – Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Malta
Isole – Commune di Padru, Sardegna, Italy
Il Mara II – Westin Dragonara Hotel, Paceville, Malta
Winsor & Newton Millennium Exhibition – Museum of Fine Arts, Malta
Maltese Women Artists – PN Headquarters, Gwardamangia, Malta
From Ħaġar Qim to the Ring of Brodgar – Demarco European Art Foundation and Maritime Museum, Birgu, Malta
1998Maltese Contemporary Art – Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Dubai
Contemporary Christian Art – Cathedral Museum, Mdina, Malta
Contemporary Art Auction – The President’s Palace, Attard, Malta
Ħarsti Lura – St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta
1998Permanence in Dignity – Opera Ruins, Valletta, Malta
II-Mara I – Westin Dragonara Hotel, Paceville, Malta
The Resurrection and the Life – The Old Mint, Valletta, Malta
The Modern Still Life, Object of Desire – Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar, Malta
1997Contemporary Art Auction – The President’s Palace Attard, Malta
Sacred Art Exhibition – The Archbishop’s Seminary, Tal-Virtu Rabat, Malta
2nd International Art Biennale Malta – St. Dominic’s Priory, Rabat, Malta
1996Contemporary Christian Art – Cathedral Museum, Mdina, Malta
Maltafest – Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, Malta
Kreattiva: IVA – Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
Four for Watercolours – Museum of Fine Arts Valletta, Malta
1995Earth and Sky – International Woman’s Day, United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland 1st International Art Biennale Malta – Mediterranean Conference Centre, Malta
1994Grolla D’Oro – Treviso, Italy
Maltese Women Artists – Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
The Nude in 20th Century Maltese Art – Robert Sammut Hall, Floriana, Malta
1992L-Auto Ritratt Malti – Robert Sammut Hall, Floriana, Malta
Contemporary Paintings – Farsons Gallery, South Street, Valletta, Malta
1991Paintings of Malta – Melitensia Art Gallery, Lija, Malta
1990Maltese Folklore – World Trade Centre, Toronto, Canada
Merħba Bik – Chamber of Commerce, Valletta, Malta
1986Maltese Contemporary Artists – Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, Malta
1982Maltese Women Artists – Gallerija Fenici, Valletta, Malta

Selected Self-Published Works

2022Abstract Giclée prints series on Hahnemühle 305 smooth cotton paper: Breakthrough edition 15 
2021Abstract Giclée prints series on Hahnemühle 305 smooth cotton paper: Incandescence edition 15
2011Merkaba  Ancient Prayers, Limited Edition of 4 prints x 120 
2004Oracle, Limited Edition of 6 prints x 150
2002The Way of the Heart, Exhibition Catalogue
2001On the Path to Integration, Limited Edition of 12 prints x 120 + 5 Artist Proofs
2000Passing on an Ancient Prayer, Limited Edition of 2 prints x 2000
1999Recovered Archaeological Finds, Box of 12 informative greeting cards
7 temples 7 women, The Archaeological Museum – 1999

Selected Publications, Reviews and Mentions

2020The Spazju Kreattiv Art Collection – Toni Sant
2019Il-Mara – iVision, TVM Broadcast
2017Fabriano in Watercolour 2017, eighth edition – 20/23 April 2017
2015Christianity, Spirituality and the Other – eds. Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, Irene Biolchini and Nikki Petroni, Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale
2013Berlaymont summa artis [Contemporary Art Collection] – The Office for Infrastructure and Logistics, Brussels (European Commission)
2011APS Art Exhibition [Art Catalogue] – review by Louis Lagana
2009The Fine Arts Auction [Art Catalogue] – President’s Palace, Attard, Malta
2009Heritage at Risk [Art Catalogue] – Museum for Natural History, Mdina, Malta
2008Bloodline [Art Catalogue] – Gallery G, Villa Gourgion, Lija, Malta
2008Cross Currents, Critical Essays on Art and Culture in Malta – ed. Raphael Vella, Allied Publication
200713 Maltese Female Artists [Calendar] – Bank of Valletta, Malta
2007They Got Soul – Vivre, the magazine for the connoisseur
2005Capturing the Cyclical View – Malta Today
200510 Watercolourists – Grimand Publications Ltd., Malta
2004The Malta Stamp Collection 1964–2004 – Maltapost
2002The International Dictionary of Artists who Painted Malta [1st and 2nd Edition]– Nicholas Depiro, AVC publishers, Malta 
2000Art in Malta Today [Art Catalogue] – ed. Joseph Paul Cassar, St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta
1999Facets of Maltese History – Anton Mifsud and Charles Savona Ventura, Malta Prehistoric Society, Malta
1999Seven Temples Seven Women – Neolithia Foundation, Malta
1997Maltese Biographies of the 20th Century – Michael J. Schiavone and Louis Scerri
1995Roses [Greeting Card] – United Nations Children’s Fund, New York, New York, United States 
1992Artist with an Eye for Adventure – Daphne Caruana Galizia, The Independent
1986Voyage across the World leads to Fremantle art exhibition – Tracy Peacock, Daily News,Western Australia
1985Contemporary Maltese Artists – Adrian Stivala, North Star Publications, Malta 
1982Maltese Women Artists [Catalogue] – Gallerija Fenici, Valletta, Malta

Public Collections 

  • The Millenium Chapel, Paceville, Malta
  • Le Meridien Hotel & Spa, St Julian’s,- Malta
  • Berlaymont Summa Artis Collection, Brussels, Belgium
  • Bank of Valletta, Siggiewi, Malta 
  • APS Bank, Zejtun, Malta
  • IZOLA Bank, Valletta, Malta
  • Camilleri Preziosi Advocates, Malta
  • Corinthia Group of Companies, Malta
  • Demarco European Art Archive, Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Ernst And Young, Msida, Malta
  • Marsovin Ltd, Malta
  • Neolithia Foundation, Malta
  • RSM Malta, Zebbug, Malta
  • Spazju Kreattiv, Centre for Creativity, Valletta, Malta
  • The Palliative Multi-Faith Room, Samoc, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta
  • St Patrick’s Hotel, Gozo
  • The Global Group, Malta
  • The Grand Hotel, Gozo
  • The Museum of Fine Arts, Malta

A letter from a friend: 

Your very own art is stimulating, it’s always an interesting subject, a flowing perspective in intelligent motion. You bring static life to all the colourful complexities. In other words you give your art meaning and fascination so your work is important and beautiful.

You pursue a mathematical formula of perfection such as we can see in a flower and most things in nature and the universe so far. Then you seem to obscure it deliberately in a vale superimposed by your freedom, a flowing escape all of your own and yet of life as it presents itself. From the uniformity you offer the unknown, like you explained to me Future Memory. Such an apt name for what is so inescapably intrinsic. I could probably stand intrigued in front of your canvas for hours on end just as you intend. What an amazing idea Anna. I would of course need a chaise lounge.   

– Sabrina