Seasharp, the first in a series of four artistic installations by Pierre Portelli, was unveiled at Xatt ir-Risq in Vittoriosa this morning.

The installations were commissioned by the Fondazzjoni Celebrazzjonijiet Nazzjonali to mark the anniversaries of four national festivities.

Seasharp draws on the vital economic and cultural maritime legacy of the Grand Harbour, its surroundings and the proactive part it played in the development of the Maltese national state.

It is also inspired by the important role of citizens as active participants in the development of the nation state.

It draws on the paradox of the ship as the vessel that carries forward the assertive aspirations of the emerging nation state and closing the chapter on a colonial past with the departure of the last Royal Navy ship.