Contemporary Maltese photography takes centre stage this June in Triple Exposure, a collective exhibition bringing together the distinctive artistic voices of photographers Tessa Mercieca, Martine Ellul and Bernadette Carabott. Hosted at Bizzilla Art Space in Floriana, the exhibition explores the intersections of memory, light and contemporary visual storytelling through three highly individual yet interconnected practices.
Despite their differing styles and subject matter, the three photographers share a sensitivity to observation and atmosphere, using the camera not merely as a recording device but as a medium for personal expression. Their collective work reflects the growing diversity and maturity of Malta's contemporary photographic landscape, where everyday scenes, fleeting encounters and emotional impressions are transformed into compelling visual narratives.
Tessa, creativity was woven into everyday life from an early age. Raised in an environment shaped by art, food and nature - from her father's paintings to her mother's culinary artistry and her grandfather's gardens - she developed a natural instinct for composition and colour. Photography became a more serious pursuit after she acquired her first digital camera a decade ago. Initially drawn to landscapes, She expanded her artistic range during the COVID-19 pandemic, when movement restrictions prompted her to turn her lens towards the streets. The shift opened new creative possibilities, leading her to capture candid moments of urban life and human interaction. Her portfolio now spans architecture, wildlife and street photography, often distinguished by bold perspectives that challenge viewers to see familiar subjects differently.
Martine approaches photography with the eye of a painter, often describing her creative process as "painting with light". Rooted in a background in traditional art, she has spent recent years refining her photographic language through workshops, study and participation in collective exhibitions. Her work balances technical discipline with experimentation, moving fluidly between architectural studies, macro photography and spontaneous human moments. Whether focusing on intricate textures or overlooked corners of daily life, Martine's images reveal a strong sense of rhythm and visual harmony, elevating ordinary subjects into thoughtful compositions.
For Bernadette, photography is deeply connected to memory and emotion. Inspired by her father's artistic influence and a cherished childhood photograph taken together, she views the medium as both a personal archive and a form of reflection. Since retiring, she has dedicated herself more fully to photography, undertaking formal training and mastering manual techniques. Her work today embraces street photography, macro imagery and intentional camera movement (ICM), through which she introduces abstraction and painterly motion into her compositions. Recent participation in national exhibitions has further established her presence within Malta's contemporary photography scene.
Together, the three photographers offer audiences a rich and varied exploration of contemporary photography, united by a shared commitment to experimentation, observation and emotional resonance. Triple Exposure invites viewers to engage with the world through three unique lenses, each shaped by personal history, artistic curiosity and a continuing search for meaning in the everyday.
The exhibition runs from 10 to 30 June at Bizzilla Art Space, Mapfre Msv Life, Floriana. Visiting hours are Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and Fridays from 9am to 3pm.