Meet the Artist: Freddie Poggio

As part of our collaboration with the Fine Arts Association of Gibraltar and our commitment to our community, Masbro is proud to showcase local artworks in our reception and customer service area. This month, we’re delighted to feature the work of respected artist and educator Freddie Poggio. 

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Freddie’s pieces reflect a lifetime of creativity, exploration and teaching — and offer clients and visitors a unique opportunity to connect with Gibraltar’s artistic talent up close. We caught up with Freddie to learn more about his journey and the works currently displayed at Masbro.

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Freddie studied Art in the early 1970s as part of his Bachelor of Education degree. Upon returning to Gibraltar, he began teaching at the Girls’ Comprehensive (later Westside School), where he worked alongside Mario Finlayson and taught art for over 30 years.  He recalls: 

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“I held my first exhibition on my return from my studies. The exhibition consisted mostly of work undertaken in Manchester. This proved to be very successful since I sold 26 out of 52 works.”  

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Over the years, he shifted his focus to pottery and wheel throwing, building up the Pottery Department at the school and running evening classes. Since retiring in 2006, Freddie has returned more actively to painting and regularly participates in exhibitions, including a joint show with his son Justin in 2024.

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‍Selected Work at Masbro‍

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Freddie explains that some are traditional landscapes painted on site, including one inspired by a hiking trip. Other imaginative scenes emerged through texture and colour, created without a fixed plan.  

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 “These eight paintings depict Landscapes and Abstracts. I enjoy randomly laying on colour and building up some kind of a scene without having a pre-conceived idea of the end product.”  

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The three abstract works also follow an organic approach, evolving daily with no set destination in mind.

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‍His Unique Approach‍

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“I start off by mark-making and eventually build up the layers of colour as the mood takes me. This is an exciting way to paint as one never knows what the outcome will be. As the work progresses, I will be looking at fluidity, contrast, movement, balance, space and many other concepts that help to bring about a desired outcome.”

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Gibraltar as Muse

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Freddie’s earlier works and long career as an educator are deeply rooted in Gibraltar. The largest painting on display at Masbro is based on a personal hike taken locally. Though not all his current works depict specific landmarks, the landscapes and textures in his pieces often echo the environment that surrounds him.

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Freddie shares that he is now working toward a blend of forms in his practice: 

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 “I am currently combining two elements in my paintings… I am working towards producing Abstract Landscapes in which the ambience of the painting will be the primary aim.” 

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We’re honoured to host Freddie’s work this month, and we invite all clients and visitors to take a closer look next time they visit Masbro. If you’re interested in buying a painting, simply leave your name and contact number at Reception and Freddie will be in touch with you directly.