Watch: ‘The Spaces Between Us’- Exhibition Shines Light On Malta’s Housing Estates
What started as a casual conversation in 2021 about childhood in a housing estate has now grown into a powerful photo project, and it’s coming to Spazju Kreattiv this October.
The Spaces Between Us began when Jake Gialanze heard stories of growing up with grandparents in Malta’s government estates. At the time, their photography journey was just beginning. But by 2024, an interest in Soviet-era Khrushchyovka housing reignited those memories. The link was clear: Malta’s post-war estates shared the same roots.
Back in the 1970s, under Dom Mintoff, the Housing Authority transformed old military barracks in Mtarfa and Pembroke into homes, while new estates sprung up in Marsa, Santa Luċija and beyond. They promised security, but over time many were weighed down by stigma and neglect.
Through the Arts Council’s Artivisti Scheme, with support from Patrick J. Fenech, Arts Council Malta, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Spazju Kreattiv, ILAB Photo, and plenty of encouragement from loved ones, the idea grew into a full-scale project.
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The exhibition zooms in on the quiet details of everyday life in Malta’s estates: balconies strung with laundry, stairwells adorned with religious icons, walls scarred by time, and small acts of care like tending gardens or animals. An intimate interview with an elderly woman adds even more depth and history to the series.
But The Spaces Between Us isn’t just about hardship. At its heart, it’s about dignity, memory, and resilience, honouring the lives lived within these overlooked spaces.
The exhibition will be held at Spazju Kreattiv, Studio Ċ in Valletta, running from 9th October to 30th November. The opening night takes place on Thursday 9th October at 7pm, inviting the public to experience a fresh perspective on Malta’s estates and the people who shape them.
Will you be attending?
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