The pressing need for a Museum of Maltese Modern Art has been the subject of much discussion in local art circles. Hopes are high, but there are nonetheless many questions yet to be answered.
For those who do not appreciate the pressure being placed on the relevant authorities to have this museum opened, who may ask whether our small nation can afford yet another museum, I suggest they pay a visit to the present exhibition in the courtyard of the National Museum of Fine Arts in South Street, Valletta.
The exhibition has been curated by Joseph Paul Cassar to complement the long-overdue launch of his benchmark book, Pioneers of Maltese Art in Malta (vol. 1, PIN, 2010), held on August 19.
Twenty-five works of art by 23 artists are on display. They include paintings, sculpture, studies and other works in mixed media.
The exhibition aims to bring to the fore “key examples of Maltese modern art in Malta from the National Museum of Fine Arts Collection” and to offer “a glimpse of the talent and achievements of Maltese modern pioneering artists”.
You get a glimpse of the important works produced during what is broadly called “the modern period” that flourished and reached a climax in the second half of the 20th century, and, like me, you will very probably leave feeling hungry for more.
Although visitors to the NMFA will be familiar with some of the works on display, other works come as a revelation. The choice is excellent.
What I cannot understand is why Alfred Chircop’s untitled oil on canvas was moved from its permanent display to the exhibition, when another work could have been chosen from the reserve collection, as others were, and given fresh exposure.
Also perplexing is the absence of a work by George Fenech, one of the core pioneers, who passed away only last week.
As different as the works of art are in expression, they all reflect the need that the pioneer artists felt for a breath of fresh air that would free them from the constraints of the academic principles propagated by the Malta Government School of Art under the direction of Edward Caruana Dingli.
Their passionate zeal resulted in the moulding of a new artistic identity. It was not easy. Many artists had to struggle to be accepted while at the same time produce ‘traditional’ works of art that would sell in order to maintain themselves and their families.
Edward Caruana Dingli, who also features in the exhibition, shackled artistic experimentation and was very influential, even acting as director of the School of Art. Most artists were his students, including Joseph Caruana.
Leafing through Pioneers of Modern Art in Malta you will find a Portrait of a Woman dated 1945, which reflects Caruana’s indebtedness to Caruana Dingli. However, if you look at the Portrait of Mrs J.A. Caruana in the exhibition, you’ll notice a whole new expression, one that has pushed boundaries and which is remarkable for its elegance and simplicity.
It is a truly significant portrait, placed alongside Esprit Barthet’s well-known Marija tal-Bajd. Painted in 1964, this shows a completely different dynamic and expression.
The latter can be observed in the work of Joseph A. Caruana. Leafing through Pioneers of Modern Art in Malta you will see a Portrait of a Woman by Caruana dating to 1945, which is very much indebted to Caruana Dingli. However, if you look at the Portrait of Mrs J.A. Caruana in the ongoing exhibition, you’ll notice a whole new expression, one that has pushed boundaries and is very successful in its elegance and simplicity. It is a truly remarkable portrait.
Caesar Attard’s 1969 Pregnant Madonna is very memorable.
Other artists in this exhibition include artist and mystic Josef Kalleya represented by the emotional and poignant plaster Il Giudizio. You also cannot miss Frank Portelli’s Christ in the Garden, and Anton Inglott’s with Study for Annunciation. Three Sciortino sculptures further enhance this exhibition.
Seminally important observations about the main protagonists are made by Cassar in his important publication. The book is the first of a two-volume study which stemmed from a doctoral thesis that Cassar presented in the History of Art Department, University of Malta, in 2002, under the supervision of Mario Buhagiar.
The exhibition is a mere taste of the significance of modern art in Malta and emphasises the need for a Museum of Modern Art.
It also provides proof of how proud we ought to be of the art produced by modern Maltese artists. These artists made huge strides forward in an insular society and, at great personal sacrifice, travelled abroad to acquire the necessary training and to acquaint themselves with the contemporary art scene.
The exhibition, entitled ‘Sensibilities in Maltese Art’, is open at the National Museum of Fine Arts courtyard till today. A tour of the exhibition with Cassar will be held today at 10 a.m. No booking is required.