On Friday, Master Plaster Founder Sonny Gatt sadly passed away, his daughter Julianne Marie has announced.
Mr Gatt was behind the plaster workshop in Ta’ Qali Crafts Village which saw the creation of various artistic objects representing Malta’s identity, and beyond.
His funeral will be held on Monday (today) at Lija Parish Church at 4pm.
Master Plaster was established 43 years ago after Mr Gatt’s hobby turned into a passion at Malta’s craft village.
In an interview, Mr Gatt recounted how his interest in the art was sparked from his very first sculpture at the age of six. Using just a piece of leftover limestone, a teaspoon, a hammer, a hacksaw and a screwdriver he managed to sculpt the face of a young lady.
He highlighted that during his childhood he felt inspired by the artistic carnival floats. After a visit to Valletta during carnival holidays he would rush home to recreate what he had seen on paper.
Throughout the years he also experimented with photography and colours as he quietly observed his surroundings.
As he grew up and had his own family, Mr Gatt was often questioned about whether it would be sustainable for him to be the sole breadwinner by making his earnings from crafts.
Nonetheless, after years working in pottery labs, and with some perseverance, he opened the doors to his workshop.
Looking back, he noted a boom for his work in the late ‘80s following requests of large orders from Maltese souvenir shops and exporting work abroad.
Mr Gatt is also the artist behind a monument located on the t'Alla u Ommu roundabout in Naxxar, called Humanity in Glory. It is said to represent the importance of mankind's presence on earth.
Main Image:Sonny Gatt working on one of his art pieces / Facebook
