Maltese Artist

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The Hawaiian Art of Photographer - Anthony Calleja:

The Root of The Soul - The Art of Dance

Though born in San Francisco, Anthony was raised in the small independent country of Malta, an island in the Mediterranean Sea - birthplace of his parents and resting place of his ancestor. It was there he learned to appreciate his rich heritage and develop his understanding of culture. As a youngster growing up in Malta, he studied Art and was influenced by the history of the Islands, the flavor of the Maltese people and by being the youngest living of 24 siblings. Back then; everything he encountered was an exciting visual experience, which has definitely had a bearing on the direction of his life's journey and the way he photograph today.

As a young man, he returned to the United States and attended San Francisco City College where he majored in photography. During this period, he began his study and dissection of photographic works by notable photographer Henri Carrier Bresson. Bresson's work inspired him to strive to isolate what seems common and see it in a different light. After college, in the early eighties, Anthony hit the streets of San Francisco. He enjoyed capturing real life with its everyday hardships and glories. To support his art, he did available light black and white portraiture as well as photographed weddings. However, he soon discovered that being a wedding photographer was not fulfilling and he felt it necessary to change his direction. Anthony decided to walk the path of my Father, Pacifico Calleja - a simple hardworking man, a provider, who had made many sacrifices in his life for love of family. He never thought of himself, only those he loved.

A few years later, Anthony fell in love with his beautiful Genoveva and were married. More than ever before, he felt a need to be that provider, to become more like his Father. he put his camera down ... photography was his passion, but at the time he did not know how to make a living from it. Although he enjoyed editorial and portrait photography, he felt that he would die before his work was appreciated. He decided to seek other employment and worked long, hard hours, and had many different types of jobs. The new challenges, responsibilities and the people he encountered helped him to grow.

After twelve years had passed and much had changed, he was overcome by the stresses of everyday life, and the Death of his Father. Then two years later, the shock of loosing his 47 year-old brother drove him into a depression. Genoveva and Anthony had no children to carry on my family name and he felt as if he were nearing the end of his journey. Then his Lovely wife, Genoveva, encouraged him to pick up his camera once more. When he did, he was transformed, able to deal with life's difficulties and frustrations.

Now capturing and recording people is his love. The moments contain feeling and drama; sometimes candid, sometimes posed, full of realism or fantasy based on his mood or an individual's situation. Through his photography he tell stories, create awareness and evoke emotions. His images are his Children; his work is a tribute to his father- the patriarch, provider, hard worker - who taught him to value the richness of life.

Ganni Caruana

Date Written: December, 29th 1999.