The Valletta Local Council has celebrated the life and career of Valletta-born artist Joseph A. Caruana who has recently passed away with, amongst other initiatives, a talk by National Museum of Fine Arts curator Sandro Debono.

On the occasion the Caruana family presented a full-length portrait by their late father to Mayor Prof Alexiei Dingli in memory of their father's artistic contribution to the community.   

Born in 1924, Joe Caruana belongs to the generation of Maltese artists who studied with  Robert and Edward Caruana Dingli at the Malta Government School of Art. He was at the forefront of the local artistic scene and a founding member of the 'Modern Art Group' established in the immediate post-war years. Caruana exhibited regularly in art shows held locally and abroad and his works brought him fame and recognition. His repertoire is broad enough to include carnival grotesque masks and carnival floats, portraiture and still life, besides other works. The National Museum of Fine Arts (Heritage Malta) holds a fine portrait acquired shortly before he passed away.    

Valletta Local Council welcomes such initiatives and looks forward to enrich its budding art collection with key donations and additions of works by Valletta born and resident artists.