Current Research

This is a project that addresses the study of Abstract Art in Malta, starting from the pioneering work of Giorgio Preca in 1951, followed by that of Emvin Cremona in 1957. The study explores other Maltese artists who embraced abstract painting, like Oliver Agius, Carmelo Mangion, Frank Portelli, Esprit Barthet, Alfred and Philip Chircop, and many others.

This is a 5,000-word article ready for publication which brings to light some new documents pertaining to Giorgio Preca’s studies both in Malta and in Rome. Other documents are about correspondence he had with his mentor Chev. Edward Caruana Dingli and other artists.

Pasmore’s presence on the island served as a stimulus to the Maltese artistic community. His teachings were experienced at first hand by many a Maltese artist who studied in England in the late 1950s up to the mid-1960s.

This research study presents the hypothesis and then proves it, that it is not entirely true that the birth of a modern aesthetic in Malta was brought through landscape painting, or portraits, still-lifes or even abstract art, but by a strong focus on religious themes.