Maltese Artists Speak Out As Their Works Remain Hidden In A ‘Silent Archive’
Three Maltese artists have come forward with concerns for their art and its condition after never seeing it displayed at the MUŻA National Community Art Museum.
These artworks are bought by public funds to continue enriching our heritage, culture and national identity but they are nowhere to be seen. Shaun Grech, a Maltese sociologist and artist, expressed his grievances via a Times of Malta Article published earlier today.
“Four of my own paintings have been purchased by public entities- three by Heritage Malta in 2022 and one in 2006 by what was then the National Museum of Fine Arts. Since then, none of these works have ever been publicly displayed. I honestly do not know where they are,” Grech wrote “We are one of the only countries I know to not have a veritable national museum of contemporary art bringing together the art of Maltese artists over the past decades in one place. What good is a contemporary national museum that does not actually show or value its own artists?
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Maria Pisani took to social media to stand with Grech “on the importance of building an institution – and ethos – that is truly dedicated to Maltese modern and contemporary work – not just in name, but in practice. Come on, we can do better….”
Patrick Dalli also took to social media saying that he had “donated it to the national museum of art (nowadays known as MUŻA) in 2010, and it is hidden (wasted) in a basement”.
What does this mean for Maltese modern artists and their art?
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