An on-site lecture tomorrow will highlight the changing attitudes of Gozitan art. It will particularly focus on a trend towards more modern ideas which had picked up considerable momentum until the 1970s, only to be sadly extinguished from then on.

Led by Mark Sagona, visiting lecturer in the Department of History of Art, Faculty of Arts at the University of Malta, a close and informed scrutiny of art in places of worship in Gozo between 1900 and 1970 will elucidate on the subtle awakening to an innovative and modern sensibility.

Among the more conservative nature of the art of Giuseppe Calì (1846-1930) and Lazzaro Pisani (1854-1932) as well as that of Calì’s son, Ramiro Raffaele (1881-1945), a handful of young, emerging Maltese artists who had studied abroad were commissioned to produce a number of works.  The paintings of Gianni Vella (1885-1977), Robert Caruana Dingli (1882-1940), Giuseppe Briffa (1901-1987) and, most formidably, those of Emvin Cremona (1919-1987) speak a language which starts opening to new ideas and breaks away with tradition.

Collectively, their works are informed by different doses of influence coming from the pre-Raphaelites, art nouveau and Italian Liberty, impressionism, to Cremona’s own stylised and abstracted manner.

■  The group will assemble at St Augustine Square, Victoria, at 9am and the activity will run until 1pm. Booking is recommended since spaces are limited. For more information, write to info@mediterranea.com.mt or call 2155 0985 or 7925 6897.