Biennale of Contemporary Christian Art

The fourth Biennale of Contemporary Christian Art is being held in the evocative setting of the Mdina Cathedral Museum's restored basement until December 21, incorporating the works of 78 local and foreign artists.

Ninety-one works, from paintings to sculptures and other art forms, were submitted and, following their assessment, 74 were selected by a panel, composed of six artists and six art critics.

Among the Maltese exhibits are works by John Martin Borg, Arnold Sultana and Jessica Debattista, Christopher Ebejer, Antoine Camilleri and Andrew Diacono to name a few.

Felix Andrew Aquilina's original and arousing stone and iron work, Through the Light, is appropriately positioned at the start of the exhibition, with its glimmering crosses carved out of hanging pots.

Three European countries are being represented in the fourth Biennale - Italy, Germany and Belgium.

The eight Italian artists, who include Maria Luisa Ricciuti and Silvana Leonardi, have donated their works to the Cathedral Museum.

Organised by the Mdina Cathedral Museum committee, chaired by Mgr Prof. Vincent Borg, the exhibition was opened by Archbishop Francesco Marchisano, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church, who described it as a major popular event not only within Malta's cultural life, but also an inspiring initiative in the international scene of contemporary art.

In the foreword to the catalogue, Mgr Borg suggested the setting up of an organisation that would work hand in hand with the Museum Committee to promote the Biennale.

He suggested that the event, which is promoting an important aspect of Malta's cultural life, should be supported by the civil as well as the ecclesiastical authorities.

Visitors to the biennale have the opportunity to appreciate a commemorative exhibition, marking the 300th anniversary of the consecration of the Metropolitan Cathedral.