Unveiling the Canvas of Self: Art, Memory, and Identity at St. John’s Co-Cathedral

Imagine standing in the heart of Valletta, Malta’s bustling capital, surrounded by the hum of daily life. Now, picture stepping into the hushed grandeur of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, where the air is thick with history and the walls whisper tales of knights and faith. This is where an intriguing lecture series is unfolding, delving into the intersection of art, memory, and identity.

Art as a Mirror to the Soul

The series, titled “Art, Memory, and Identity: Exploring the Maltese Experience,” is a collaboration between the Malta Society of Arts and St. John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation. It’s an invitation to explore how art reflects and shapes our understanding of ourselves and our past. The lectures, held in the cathedral’s ornate Oratory, provide a unique blend of art history, cultural analysis, and personal reflection.

Dr. Kenneth Cassar, the series’ coordinator and an art historian at the University of Malta, explains, “We’re not just looking at art as objects to be admired. We’re using it as a lens to examine our collective memory and identity. It’s a journey through time, but also a journey within.”

From Knights to Contemporary Artists

The series spans centuries, from the grand masterpieces of the Knights of St. John to the provocative works of contemporary Maltese artists. Each lecture is a standalone journey, yet together they weave a mix Maltese artistic heritage and its evolution.

One lecture, titled “The Grand Masters’ Portraits: Power, Piety, and Propaganda,” explores the larger-than-life portraits that line the cathedral’s walls. Another, “Memory, Trauma, and the Maltese scene,” delves into how Maltese artists have responded to the island’s tumultuous history and the collective trauma of the Great Siege.

But the series isn’t confined to the past. Upcoming lectures include “The Art of Migration,” which examines how Maltese artists are engaging with the island’s evolving demographics and the complexities of identity in a globalized world.

Engaging with the Past, Shaping the Future

The lectures aren’t just about learning; they’re about engaging. Each session includes time for discussion, encouraging participants to share their own perspectives and interpretations. It’s a conversation that spills out into the cathedral’s cloisters, where the echoes of history mingle with the voices of the present.

For Dr. Cassar, the series is about more than just understanding the past. “It’s about understanding ourselves,” he says. “Art is a mirror that reflects our experiences, our hopes, our fears. By looking at it, we can better understand who we are and where we’re going.”

As the series continues, it’s clear that it’s not just about exploring the past. It’s about engaging with it, understanding it, and using that understanding to shape the future. After all, as the lectures remind us, art is not just something we look at. It’s something we do.