Valletta Contemporary
Introduction VC007 by Norbert Francis Attard
January 2026​
2025 was a busy and fruitful year across Valletta Contemporary and the Foundation. Last year I alluded to the strong, vibrant exhibition programme ahead, but this year also brought about strength in our educational and events programming, our publishing division and the archival project in Gozo.
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Our exhibition programme found a balance with a total of 6 exhibitions featured throughout, and a pop-up exhibition. The internationalisation of the arts still serves as a crucial mission of the Gallery, allowing us to spark a rare exchange between local audiences and internationally renowned artists, Galleries and curators.
The year got off to a flying start with Wegfliegen, a solo exhibition by German artist, birdman Hans Langner, an eclectic mix of works with found objects, works on paper and small three-dimensional pieces. His exhibition was followed by Cabinet of Curiosities, another solo exhibition by OtGO, a Berlin-based Mongolian artist. The exhibition, curated by Thomas Eller, presented expansive, highly detailed paintings and collages which drew a sense of whimsy to the programme. Rebecca Bonaci’s solo show titled Wens: Comfortable Silence, curated by Gabriel Zammit, was grounded in Maltese heritage and themes of family, slow-living and comfort. Her show was followed by the explosive Art from Elsewhere: Deep Throat by German-based Gallery Momentum, curated by Rachel Rits-Volloch & Emilio Rapanà, which drew together 21 artists from across the globe.
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The programme was briefly interjected by a one-night only pop-up exhibition titled opus they, featuring the work of 3 artists, Raphael Vella, Chris Briffa and Michael Quinton. In short, they presented work from a crossdisciplinary research project, which was dedicated to confronting the interconnected global crises. We closed the exhibition programme with two solo exhibitions, Nothing But the Sea by Malta-based Parisian photographer Cyril Sancereau, whose quiet representations of the sea filled the basement area. While the project room was host to Memorial Immortal by digital artist Sergio Muscat, an exhibition curated by Sue Falzon, which invites people to experience Sergio’s unique photoclasm technique and debuted our new projection space.
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We have also continued to maintain a consistent educational programme with a special focus on the VC Creative Hub, which Gallery Manager Maria Eileen Fsadni has taken a lead on organising. Our workshops saw a 3-part mini-series on paper work sub-titled Chronicles in Paper which featured a Meditative Monoprinting by Emma Fsadni, Screenprinting by Aprille Zammit (Screenprinting Malta) and a Notebook Making workshop by Glen Calleja (Kotba Calleja). This series was generously supported by APS Bank. Other workshops included collaborations with Martina Farrugia, who led a two-part ceramic jewellery workshop at the start of the year, and Ally Vella who brought together her background in psychology and ceramics to lead a Mindful Clay-making session.
This year also saw the inclusion of collaborative events which entered into our public programme, including the screening of a series of short films as part of Friends of the Earth Malta’s film festival Cine’ Ambjent and our participation in the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA)’s conference, Culture at Work: Unconference, through an event organised by the Visual Arts Committee.
A highlight from this year’s programme, and a great milestone for our publishing division, was the launch of Phase & Occasion: Art & Poetry in Malta a 240 page volume featuring 31 poets, ranging from emerging to established names both locally and internationally which are in dialogue with my work. It was integral to me to collaborate with two important figures in the literary world to introduce and edit this publication, namely Prof. Ivan Callus who wrote a lengthy essay introducing the book and Dr Maria Theuma who edited Phase & Occasion. The book was officially launched at VC on 10th July, featuring an introductory note by Prof. Callus and poetry readings by Maria Theuma, Immanuel Mifsud, Rachelle Deguara, Sam Alekksandra & Adrian Grima. The book was printed with the support of the Malta Book Fund by the National Book Council.
A step behind the scenes allows us to analyse the way in which the Foundation operates. Our board draws together people from varying backgrounds including, James Scicluna, Victor Sladden, Krista Hyzler and Yeoul Son, apart from myself. We also seek in an advisory capacity the support of Gilbert Micallef. In 2025 the board met with increased frequency to evaluate and discuss our progress, ensuring that we remain aligned with our mission and vision for the future.
In the past year, we have made significant strides in securing funding, a crucial element for sustaining our operations and supporting our ongoing work. Being awarded two small funds from APS Bank and the Malta Book Fund, we were able to carry out projects which were long on the agenda. This year, we also witnessed a remarkable increase in sales, driven largely by the outstanding exhibitions of artists Caesar Attard and Rebecca Bonaci, alongside successful sales from the works of OtGO. Recognizing the importance of funding, we have placed a more robust emphasis on grant writing and establishing meaningful connections with potential sponsors.
We are also thrilled to announce our partnership with the Faculty of Media & Knowledge Sciences at the University of Malta, which marks an exciting undertaking—an archival project in Gozo, equipped with dedicated research spaces, reading rooms, and archival drawers specifically designed for the contemporary arts. This initiative represents the first of its kind on our islands and is currently in the fundraising stage. We look forward to working with an enthusiastic group of students under the expert guidance of Prof. Charles Farrugia, who will help lay the groundwork for this important archival endeavor.
In an effort to further enrich our community's engagement with contemporary art, we are transforming the Valletta Contemporary shop into a small pop-up exhibition space. This new concept will host smaller exhibitions featuring accessible works that still champion the essence of the contemporary arts. By purchasing from Valletta Contemporary, collectors are not only acquiring art but are also supporting our non-profit initiatives and the talented artists who contribute to our vibrant cultural landscape.
Naturally, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the team who makes all of this happen. Therefore, I must thank all those who continually support VC and the Foundation’s work. The Gallery Manager, Maria Eileen Fsadni, whose ability to prioritise effectively, get things done and take a leadership role in the day-to-day management of the team is essential to keeping the Gallery up-and-running. Michaele Zammit continued coordinating exhibition set-up for our exhibitions, his loyalty over the years has been incredibly appreciated. We also received support with set-up from VE L LA and Julien Vinet. Rebecca Agius joined our team mid-year, supporting approximately 5 hours a week, focusing primarily on fundraising and assisting during events. Rebecca’s multifaceted background in arts, culture, heritage, with experience in administration and management has been helpful in propelling our events forward. Ann Dingli, of course, continues to produce high quality interviews with exhibition teams which is key in the documentation of our exhibitions.
Other thanks go to the many interns and volunteers working with the Valletta Contemporary team. First a thank you to this year’s interns, Meltem Ezer and Megan Attard, both of whom stayed on as volunteers after their internship period. This year, our voluntary programme saw a growth and was managed with more consistency, thanks is extended to Rachel Abdilla who has supported for the last 3 years, in addition to new volunteers, Claudia Aucello, Francesca Fedora Redavid, Michaela Pia and Martina Camilleri. It is with the support of those listed above that VC continues its mission to bring the contemporary arts closer to the general public.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the 2026 programme, which is already fully booked with a rich array of exhibitions that aim to highlight a balanced representation of both local and international artists. We are also proud to be participating in the Gwangju Biennale public programme by BEJN KOLLETTIV, an opportunity that underscores our commitment to engaging with the global art community.