HANDCRAFTED MALTA FILIGREE

At sixteen years of age Kevin Attard started to show an interest in crafts during which time he was working in his father's workshop, mending jewellery. He then started to train in the craftsmanship of filigree. In 2001 he set his own workshop and started working as a freelance filigree designer and craftsman where he was focusing mainly on creating innovative and modern filigree items ranging from small jewellery to larger items such as 3d sculptures and other ornaments. From time to time he gives filigree lessons at the leading art and craft schools in Malta, where the learners can appreciate more the intricate and delicate work involved in making a single piece of handmade filigree jewellery. In 2010 he won a prize for creativity and innovation in the first competition for local artisans organised by the Malta Crafts Council. The product was a silver filigree chess piece. In 2012 he took part again in the competition and won first prize for creativity and innovation. The piece he presented was a stunning realistic size silver filigree violin that took him a year to complete. In 2013 he won a finalist prize for an innovative and traditional product: a silver filigree skull. Since then he won other awards. Kevin Attard utilises the Maltese traditional methods to experiment in the creation of innovative designs, shapes and sizes which apart from being most modern and futuristic, they surprise the visitor for their originality. He creates and designs authentic and contemporary pieces, which add a touch of innovation to the craft and create a keen, fresh interest for the generation of today. Kevin uses the traditional technique of filigree making but he gives it his own unique twist. Instead of complying with the traditional filigree designs, he creates more unusual ones and makes sure to find a balance between being daring and innovative and creating something that the general public is interested in and appreciates.