A new mural inspired by Malta’s past and present that critically reflects on its identity, has been painted by University of Malta students at the institution in the tunnel under Regional road that connects the Msida campus with the Tal-Qroqq Sports Complex. The mural was unveiled by the Rector, Prof. Alfred Vella together with Arts Council Malta representatives.

Over the last few months, UM students enrolled in the Master in Teaching and Learning Art had lectures on archaeology, driving a different perspective on the Megalithic Temples of Malta (Prof. Nicholas C. Vella), real ship adventures about the time of the Knights Hospitaller (Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, by Prof. Emanuel Buttigieg), the genetics of the Maltese people (by Prof. Joseph Borg), and connections between the diaspora and contemporary art in Malta and the US (by Prof. Thomas Scicluna, Florida International University). 

The project is called ‘Interdisciplinary Murals’ and is led by Prof. Raphael Vella & Dr Edward Duca and supported by Arts Council Malta with the Arts in School scheme. They worked with the Spanish street artist Pep Walls, and helped the students critically reflect on the topics covered by the academics. The students researched various themes and opted for a ‘multispecies’ approach, linking local identity to the identity of the land, sea and endemic species, with a touch of Tberfil—the ever loved local font. 

MTL Art students participating in the mural are Sherise Attard, Edera Muscat, Kristine Saliba Caruana, Peter Aquilina, Carlos Cutajar, Aden Cacciattolo, and Mikael Scicluna.