Antoine Camilleri is a name synonymous with modern art on our beautiful island of Malta, an island that over many years inspired the cream of artists from all over Europe and beyond. I am extremely proud to say he was my late mother’s brother. I was delighted to hear from his daughter Marielle, my cousin, that a street has been named after him – Triq Antoine Camilleri Pittur 1922-2005, Madliena, Swieqi. I think that this is most fitting and recognises all he achieved for modern art; he was the father of the new wave of artists who moved painting here into a new dimension.

Mr Camilleri is also well-known away from these shores; his unique paintings are adorning walls around the four corners of the earth. He became addictive when talking about art and one could not help but be totally immersed in what he was saying. I was extremely fortunate, although somewhat young in age, to often be at dearly departed Oliver Agius’s farmhouse in the limits of Mqabba where the cream of Maltese artists of the 1960s enjoyed relaxing days discussing their favourite subjects.

I have some very special memories of time spent with him. He was a larger-than-life character but one could not help but admire his modesty. I vividly remember helping him with the maskaruni (individually carried floats) for many a carnival in the 1960s, spending evenings at the old Knights Hall, now Mediterranean Conference Centre, under the leaking roofs, glueing paper and painting those majestic grotesque works of art.

The highlight of the sessions was always red wine, Maltese bread and cheese; spending time with Uncle Antoine gave me many lessons in life which still help me to this day. When the time came for him to join the famous circle of artists in the sky I lost a part of me. Luckily he lives on in my memories.