As part of Bank of Vallettaâs 50th Anniversary Celebrations, an art exhibition titled âinwaħħdu xbihat minn kullimkienâ was inaugurated at the Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta. The exhibition exhibits the Bankâs vast collection of modern and contemporary artworks.
The title âinwaħħdu xbihat minn kullimkien,â is taken from Achille Mizziâs poem âSkorfonâ (Il-Kantiku tad-Demm), reflecting the vast collection of artwork on display, and drawing its imprint from the nature of the exhibits and the way the Bankâs collection of art evolved over the years.
Bank of Vallettaâs collection is, by Maltese standards, a very large one, counting over 900 pieces. It is a collection that has evolved rather randomly, with works that were primarily meant to decorate reception areas, offices, and boardroom walls.
They largely date from the 1970's to the early 2000's and most works were purchased directly from the artists. In its vastness, the Bank of Vallettaâs collection provides a snapshot of Maltese art, with works by both prominent and less prominent artists. The works reflect the realities of the Maltese art scene and understandably vary in style and significance. The collection is largely composed of landscape paintings and abstract works of small to medium size. They are mostly executed in traditional media, without breaking much into experimental forms.
During the selection process for âinwaħħdu xbihat minn kullimkienâ, curator Prof. Keith Sciberras from the Department of Art and Art History at the Faculty of Arts, identified and highlighted the work of the protagonists in a curated display that mirrors much of the artistic concerns and production of modern and contemporary art in Malta. In their attempt to embrace international references, the works on display dialogue, albeit sometimes hesitantly, with artistic realities primarily in England, Italy, and France, where several of these Maltese artists trained or studied.
Prof. Sciberras stated that âthe concept of the exhibition entitled flows through three main chapters, or rooms, set out in the Camerone of MUZA â the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. They are respectively dedicated to works on paper (Karta / Paper), landscapes (Art / Earth), and abstract works (ħsieb / Mind). A smaller, but significant, room is dominated by one single, large figurative work by Anton Calleja. The exhibition also combines art and poetry in a dialogue that mirrors the âut pictura poesisâ tradition, where poetry and painting engage in a dialogue or friendly âparagonâ. The poet of choice is Achille Mizzi, and extracts from his work, selected by Immanuel Mifsud, accompany the titles of exhibition rooms.â
Prof. Sciberras continues that the fifty-four works from 31 artists on exhibit display considerable visual coherence, but at the same time underline individual interests and idioms. The concerns here are mainly with aesthetics and rendering and notably do not engage in depth with commentary on political and social controversies and debates of that time. Colour, light, form, and expression unite (iwaħħdu) this exhibition. In many ways, this reflects the general character of Maltese modern art.
Whilst inaugurating the exhibition and also welcoming all those present, Dr Gordon Cordina, BOVâs Chairman, stated that the Bank has always been at the forefront in supporting the community at large and supporting the local art and culture scene. âThis is yet another event where the Bank is looking to the past but investing in the future, seeking to leave behind a better world for those who come after us. Curator Prof Keith Sciberras did a sterling job in identifying and highlighting the work of the protagonists in a curated display that mirrors much of the artistic concerns and production of modern and contemporary art in Malta.â