Westminster alumnus and artist holds first UK solo art exhibition

His art exhibition, Antic Hay, is hosted between 15-31 August at Cicek Gallery in London, an independent art gallery supporting emerging artists from underrepresented backgrounds. His work combines current affairs, satire and writing to create a socio-commentary of today’s times in bold paintings, and has been exhibited in Malta, Barcelona, Florence and London. Sebastian described his work as “an artistic response to the jingoism that is seen proliferating across Europe today.”

His new oil paintings include a cast of fictional caricatures ranging from Major Mann to the artist’s signature Sausage People, set in a series of mundane and decadent surroundings. He took inspiration for this series from Il Gattopardo, a tale by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa that covers the changes in Sicilian life and society during the Risorgimento, the 19th century social and political movement that resulted in the unification of Italy.

Sebastian studied Architecture and Urban Studies on the Marylebone Campus at the University of Westminster, graduating in 2013. While his focus was his degree, Sebastian explored various sides to himself. At the time, his art practice was a hobby, as well as something to bolster his Architectural studies, which he soon found a strong passion for and began to branch out from it into a full-time career a year later in 2014, working for The Times of Malta as a political cartoonist till present where his art works are published weekly.

He has also exhibited his works in previous exhibitions such as Pride+ in a group show in July at the Cicek Gallery, and his previous solo exhibition titled Froga/Farrago at R Gallery, Malta back in October. Antic Hay is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays between 1— 6pm at 17 Cleeve Workshops, Boundary Street, London.

Sebastian Tanti Burlò added: “It is a monumental achievement in my artistic career to be able to hold a solo exhibition in London and being a Westminster alumnus has much to do with it. Apart from as I had mentioned above, the encouragement that I found at the hands of the Westminster academic staff as well as my fellow students also played a role. My tutors and lecturers were all extremely supportive and opened new doors and, more importantly, ways of seeing. The gallery I am exhibiting with, Cicek Gallery, is founded and run by a fellow Alumna, Berfin Cicek, who was in the same course as me. Although we hadn't seen each other for more than ten years, and both of us were following different careers to what we had studied, we got together and just like back at Westminster, struck up a friendship and working relationship.”

Berfin Cicek, Founder of the Cicek Gallery, said: "Cicek Gallery was founded with a clear mission: to champion emerging artists from underrepresented communities, including ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ artists and female artists. As an artist myself, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges faced by contemporary creators, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. My goal is to revolutionise the way galleries support these artists by offering them the exposure and value they deserve. At Cicek Gallery, we work closely with a select group of artists to build their presence in the art market, connecting them with real collectors and ensuring their financial success through a fair commission structure. We are an online gallery, and our reach extends beyond borders with pop-up exhibitions across the UK and abroad."  

The exhibition directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Learn more about the Architecture courses at the University of Westminster.