Three established Maltese artists - Josette Fenech, Antonio Mifsud and Kevin Sciberras - are coming together this October in a collective exhibition at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta. Titled Visual Conversations, the show brings together their diverse practices in a shared exploration of abstraction, spirituality and urban memory. Though their visual languages differ, the works resonate with one another, creating an interplay that reflects both the variety and vitality of the contemporary Maltese art scene.
Josette Fenech: Abstracted horizons
At one end of the exhibition stands the work of Fenech, a painter whose artistic voice is inseparable from her exploration of abstraction. Her canvases, often inspired by seascapes and skies, are less about depicting a place than evoking its atmosphere. Colour is central to her practice: soft blues, fiery reds, and delicate layers build compositions that hover between serenity and turbulence.
Fenech has built a reputation not only locally but also internationally. She has exhibited widely, with solo shows such as Riflessi (2013) and Against all odds (2015) marking turning points in her career. In 2017 she represented Malta in Horizons, a solo exhibition celebrating Malta's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and her recent participation in Stati d'Arte (2024) in Spello, Italy, confirms her ongoing presence on the international stage.
Her works in Visual Conversations continue this trajectory. They abstract natural elements into layered harmonies that invite contemplation. Standing before them, the viewer is reminded of the Maltese horizon where sea meets sky, but also of the inner landscapes of memory and emotion.
Antonio Mifsud: Between sacred and contemporary
The contribution of Mifsud adds another layer to the exhibition's dialogue. Known equally for his sculpture and painting, Mifsud is an artist who has bridged sacred tradition and contemporary expression. Having trained under the celebrated sculptor Chev. Alfred Camilleri Cauchi, he honed his skills in monumental and religious art before extending his practice into diverse media.
Over the years, he has produced a wide-ranging body of work that includes sacred commissions, public monuments and abstract paintings. His creations are found not only across Malta but also in prestigious international collections such as the Vatican and the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. His solo exhibitions, among them The way of beauty at the Archbishop's Palace and Taqtir is-skiet at The Phoenicia, reflect his versatility and depth of vision.
Mifsud's paintings in this show reveal the artist's ability to balance symbolism with contemporary resonance. His works suggest metaphors drawn from landscapes and spiritual themes, but they are never rigidly doctrinal. Instead, they open up space for viewers to find their own meanings. In this way, his art builds a bridge between tradition and modernity, showing how the sacred can continue to inspire in a contemporary idiom.
Kevin Sciberras: Narratives of the city
The exhibition is completed by Sciberras, whose practice focuses on Malta's architectural and urban fabric. Sciberras' paintings often depict aerial views, rooftops and narrow streets that capture the rhythm of Maltese towns. His approach transforms the built environment into poetic meditations on memory, light and time.
Sciberras trained under respected Maltese artists including Charles Cassar and Harry Alden, and furthered his studies at the Malta Government School of Art. He later completed a Master's degree in Art History at the University of Malta, combining scholarly inquiry with painterly practice. With more than 25 years of artistic experience, he has exhibited widely, most recently presenting Silent narratives at Art by the Seaside Gallery.
His works in Visual Conversations are characterised by warm oranges, deep blues and muted purples - a palette that imbues Malta's rooftops and domes with a lyrical intimacy. He encourages viewers to rediscover their cities, not only as physical spaces but as vessels of shared memory. In doing so, Sciberras highlights the delicate interplay between architecture, community, and the individual's sense of belonging.
A dialogue across styles
Taken together, the works of Fenech, Mifsud and Sciberras form a conversation that moves from the sea to the sacred, from the abstract to the architectural. Each artist brings a distinctive sensibility, yet they complement one another in unexpected ways: Fenech's fluid horizons balance Sciberras' structured rooftops, while Mifsud's metaphoric depth ties the two together.
The exhibition demonstrates how Maltese art can be both an aesthetic encounter and a force for social good. Organised by the MHA CSR Committee, the exhibition supports three NGOs: Dr Klown, the Down Syndrome Association and Jacob's Brew (Survivors Malta) with 25% of proceeds donated.
'Visual Conversations', curated by Prof. Louis Laganà, runs from 2 to 30 October at Spazju Kreattiv (Cafeteria Area), Valletta. Open from Tuesday to Friday (9am to 9pm) and weekends (10am to 9pm)
Prof Louis Laganà PhD (Lough) is an academic, curator and practising artist
