Whoever you are, and whatever you do - we are all the artisans of our own fortune and destiny. This is the concept behind this year’s annual calendar from GasanMamo Insurance.

As insurance leaders, the company understands better than most that life has a way of throwing its curveballs, but that it’s how you deal with it, that matters most.
And, one of the ways to deal with 2020, in the company’s view, is to shine a spotlight on six inspirational local artisans, who create exceptional pieces, stemming from a place of passion.

After all, artisans are part of the backbone of our heritage and culture, and an expression of who we are today.

In yet another effort to support and promote local small businesses, GasanMamo is giving a platform to highlight the talent and determination these artisans, like so many others, have shown particularly during the challenging times that this pandemic has brought to small businesses.

It also reminds us that there is an abundance of homegrown talent waiting to be discovered and supported.

“Artists are a vital component of any local economies and these artisans are preserving our culture and heritage” said Mark Mamo, GasanMamo’s general manager, “therefore we wanted to thank them by giving them a platform to bring them to a wider audience through our annual calendar”.

Their works will make for excellent Christmas gifts, so do check out their portfolio of works and support local talent, in doing so. Find them all on Facebook via the GasanMamo Insurance page.

About the artisans

(Clockwise)Sef Farrugia, Scott Schembri & Andrea Camilleri,  Daphne Bugeja, Martina Caruana, Sharon Borg Cesareo and Sue Mifsud

In 2016, interior designer and artist Sharon Borg Cesareo came up with a novel way of combining contemporary art with modern-day technology, using wood and laser cut stainless steel and creating two-dimensional pieces of art.

Sue Mifsud’s gorgeous wheel thrown ceramics can be found in many local eateries. Her love of texture is evident in her earthenware and allows people to experience her ceramics through touch alone.

For fashion lovers, Sef Farrugia’s textiles make for a brilliant bespoke gift. She specializes in luxury silk accessories and bespoke clothing guaranteeing a unique custom-made item every time.

Daphne’s Bugeja’s freehand illustrative explorations of the detailed architecture of cityscapes that she visited in past years has led to the birth of ‘inka’. Any architecture buff would love to receive one as a gift this Christmas.

Martina Caruana is seeking to bring back Ġenwiża, a family-owned catering business renowned for traditional baked goods, in the 1950s, through her passion for baking.

Torri is the brainchild of childhood friends Andrea and Scott. Together they aim to capture the simplistic beauty of the Maltese Islands, with no frills, through a series of Maltese inspired, minimalistic prints and illustrations.