Maltese sculptor Andreas Paul Muscat has earned international recognition after placing seventh in the Portrait Society of America’s prestigious Non-Commissioned Portrait Competition.

Muscat was selected in the ‘Non-commissioned portrait’ category, which attracted more than 1,000 entries from artists around the world.

His selected work is titled Athena, a sculptural portrait executed in hydro resin with a patina finish.

He announced the achievement in a recent Facebook post, describing the result as especially meaningful given that it marks both his first international competition and his first attempt at the Portrait Society of America awards.

The sculptor has been dedicated to sculpting for only one and a half years, making the accomplishment a significant milestone in his artistic journey.

“I am honoured to have placed 7th,” Muscat wrote, expressing gratitude to the jury for their time and consideration, and noting his pride in being a current member of the Portrait Society of America.

He added that while he is grateful for the recognition, he remains “hungry for the future.”

Speaking to Times of Malta, the sculptor described the experience of placing in the top 10 as both “surreal” and “overwhelming,” particularly given the scale and quality of the international field.

He is currently furthering his studies at the Florence Academy of Arts, where he continues to refine his technical and artistic approach, he explained.

Muscat added that Athena was the only sculpture to be placed in the category. He said the work reflected his long-standing fascination with mythology, a recurring source of inspiration in his practice.

His path into sculpture was shaped by his father, who is also a sculptor and first introduced him to the discipline, he said.

The Portrait Society of America is internationally respected for promoting excellence in portraiture across painting, drawing, and sculpture.

Ranking within the top ten in such a competitive field is considered a notable achievement, particularly for an emerging sculptor at an early stage of his career.