Although their styles differ, Falzon and Dingli’s works complement each other beautifully, creating a harmonious, vibrant flow that encourages reflection on the construction and preservation of identity within Maltese society.

The exhibition isn’t simply a nostalgic exercise; it critically examines how identity is challenged, constructed, and maintained, prompting visitors to consider their own place in Malta’s social fabric.

By reimagining a commercial space as a site for artistic engagement, Common Threads blurs the boundaries between art, everyday life, and commerce, opening new pathways for curiosity, dialogue, and accessibility.

Ryan Falzon, born in Malta in 1988, is known for his playful yet politically charged visual narratives. Using collage-like arrangements of images and text, Falzon has been a defining voice in contemporary Maltese art since 2009, with his work from 2016 to 2019 becoming a reference point for politically and socially engaged practices.

Recently, he has focused on painting domestic plants and gardens, exploring biophilia and post-pandemic living. Falzon has participated in numerous exhibitions across Malta and Europe, earned a Master of Arts in Fine Arts with distinction, and has been recognised internationally, including by Absolut Vodka’s “Transform Today” project.

His literary work, including the novel SAJF, has cemented him as a voice for Malta’s millennial generation, earning national awards and international residencies.

Ed Dingli, meanwhile, blends storytelling with a graphic, expressive visual style that explores identity, daily life, and the intricacies of nature. Trained in the UK, Dingli drew inspiration from street art and socially conscious design, later working with ethically driven studios in London for organisations like WWF and the UN.

Now based in Portugal, he creates illustrations and paintings for causes including climate justice, human rights, and environmental regeneration. Common Threads is his second painting exhibition, following last year’s debut, ‘Ngħaddu ż-Żmien’, where he collaborated with Malta-based Portuguese artist Patarra to explore intercultural interpretations.

By turning a commercial space into a vibrant, thought-provoking gallery, Common Threads reminds us that art doesn’t need to be confined to white walls or formal contexts.

It can inhabit the ordinary, transforming familiar spaces into arenas for reflection, dialogue, and connection, while affirming the value of Malta’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Will you be attending?