A number of abstract paintings by Maltese artists’ produced between 1980–2005 that are in the National collection are on display in the Exhibition Hall of the Ministry for Gozo. This exhibition organised by Heritage Malta and the Ministry for Gozo and will run till 31 January.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, in the presence of Dennis Vella, Curator Modern and Contemporary Art at the National Museum of Fine Arts who gave a brief overview of the development of abstract art in Malta whilst Heritage Malta CEO Dr Luciano Mule’ Stagno speaking about Heritage Malta’s commitment to strengthen its operations in Gozo and to set up similar prestigious exhibitions in the future.

The artists featured in the exhibition are Norbert Attard (b. 1951), Vince Briffa (b. 1952), Austin Camilleri (b. 1972), Pawl Carbonaro (b. 1948), Joseph Paul Cassar (b. 1958), Alfred Chircop (b. 1933), Marco Cremona (b. 1951), Luciano Micallef (b. 1954), Anton Grech (b. 1965), John Grima (b. 1967), Carmen Pizzuto (b. 1957), Joseph Saliba Saliba (b. 1954) and Anthony Spagnol (b. 1960).

Abstract painting in Malta emerged in 1955, 50 years after the rest of Europe, and was initially considered an abnormality, but due to the high standards achieved by Emvin Cremona and Alfred Chircop, this style has gained a good level of acceptance and is represented in a number of major public and private collections in Malta.

In addition to other trends, the main characteristics in this collection are those inspired by nature as seen in the works of Chircop,

Spagnol, Camilleri and Grima, as well as from gestural improvisation found in the paintings of Carbonaro and Micallef.

All featured artists have produced a sufficient record of their commitment to this genre and have also exhibited widely in Malta and abroad.

The exhibition is open on weekdays from 9am till 4.30pm and on weekends from 9am till noon.