Art: Between Surface and Silence

Imagine standing on Republic Street, Malta’s bustling thoroughfare, and suddenly noticing a silent, still figure amidst the bustle. It’s a living statue, an artist frozen in time, their face a canvas of emotion, their body a sculpture of stillness. This is art in its most immediate, most Maltese form – a silent conversation amidst the city’s noise.

Art in the Open

Malta’s streets are its galleries, its people the patrons. From the living statues of Valletta to the street art of Msida’s Underworld, art here is not confined to museums or galleries. It’s a part of daily life, a silent companion to the island’s rhythm.

Take the street art in Msida, for instance. The Underworld, a network of tunnels beneath the city, has been transformed into a vibrant, ever-changing gallery. Artists from around the world have left their mark here, turning the dark, damp space into a beacon of colour and creativity. It’s a testament to Malta’s openness, its willingness to embrace art in all its forms.

Silence in the Noise

But art in Malta isn’t just about the loud, the bold, the in-your-face. It’s also about the quiet, the subtle, the silent. It’s about the intricate stone carvings on the Ġgantija Temples, the delicate lacework in Gozo’s museums, the hushed whispers of ancient stories in the catacombs of Rabat.

It’s about the silence of the artist, the quiet contemplation that goes into creating a piece. It’s about the hushed tones of a gallery, the respectful silence that envelops viewers as they stand before a masterpiece. It’s about the silence that speaks volumes, the silence that is as much a part of Maltese art as the noise.

Art in the Making

Malta’s art scene is not just about the past, the history, the heritage. It’s about the present, the future, the making. It’s about the young artists experimenting with new forms, new mediums, new ideas. It’s about the art schools, the workshops, the studios where art is not just a noun but a verb, a process, a journey.

It’s about the Malta Arts Council’s initiatives, the Valletta 2018 projects, the various festivals and exhibitions that dot the island’s calendar. It’s about the art that’s being made right now, this very moment, in studios and on streets across Malta.

So, the next time you’re walking down Republic Street, pause. Look around. Listen. You might just hear the silent conversation of art amidst the city’s noise.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas. Let’s make others see Malta’s art, in all its surface and silence.