Two generations of Maltese artistic families : Giuseppe Cassar and Maria Rossella Dalmas, Albert Joseph and Doranne Alden Caruan

Abstract

This is the third volume in the series of publications entitled Two Generations of Maltese Artistic Families. This project compiled the works of 12 Maltese artists coming from six families and assessed the cultural and artistic influences that evolved over time between parents and sons or daughters as these are reflected in the works of the individual artists. Altogether they span a century of artistic achievements in the Maltese Islands. The works reflect different schools of thought regarding art, choice of themes and presentation. The artists laboured to free themselves from stylised forms to experiment with new media and approach subjects that were upmost in social discussions both in Malta and abroad. This innovative drive gained impetus following Malta’s independence in 1964. This third volume brings to the fore a somewhat different group of professionals. The four artists had other work priorities as their prime life objective. But, although the inner talent for self-expression in colour was there, it took time to emerge. The formal training that artists usually undertake became a part-time experience until the drive to express oneself in novel forms or new media took over. In a sense, this year’s publication, and related exhibition, is unique. It brings together two families, and four artists, who edged themselves gradually towards art when pursuing other activities in life. What was initially a pastime gradually became a vocation. This publication addresses the works and personal views on art of Giuseppe Cassar and his daughter Maria Rossella Dalmas, and of Albert Joseph Caruana and his daughter Doranne Alden Caruana. Giuseppe Cassar is noted primarily as a professional photographer while Albert Joseph Caruana was active in the banking sector. But throughout their working lives they had this additional drive to draw and paint, a call which they followed more actively on retirement. Their daughters followed a parallel journey to art; while pursuing a career of their choice, they started getting more and more involved in formal artistic activities bringing insight from their world and, perhaps more important from an artistic viewpoint, introducing new colour media. Once again, this publication is a tribute to human perseverance and dedication: artists following a call to preserve the beautiful, and to express themselves in new formats and through new techniques.