Daphne Anne Caruana Galizia née Vella was a Maltese writer, journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist reporting mainly on political events in Malta. She was born August 26, 1964 and assassinated on October 16, 2017 whilst driving close to her home in Bidnija in her leased car. This was made to explode, killing her instantly and leaving the vehicle scattered in several pieces across nearby fields.
I never supported Caruana Galizia’s journalism, particularly because some of her statements were offensive to people like me who practice a left-leaning political philosphy. Many others felt the same way. While I chose to boycott her blog, some people responded with vicious attacks and even demonization.
When the events of October 16th unfolded, some were not surprised while others were shocked. I remember being at work at the Valletta 2018 Foundation when the news broke. Most of my colleagues were horrified, but some were almost relieved.
The artwork, with its sharp cut that seems to tear Caruana Galizia apart, reflects the stark divide between these two groups. For some, the cut represents a victory over a perceived enemy, while for others, it is a painful reminder of the violence and hatred that has torn their society apart.
Despite its potent symbolism, the artwork failed to attract any buyers when it was auctioned off at the 2021 Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation online art auction. Nevertheless, it has since gained international recognition and was featured in a 2022 documentary about Malta’s contemporary issues titled “Malta: Small islands, big issues for Europe” by France 24. The documentary is presented by France 24’s European affairs editor Catherine Nicholson, produced by Johan Bodin, filmed on location by Stéphane Bodin, with Luke Brown.
In December 2022, the artwork also received a certificate of artistic achievement in the Luxembourg Art Prize 2022, underscoring its significance as a poignant commentary on the challenges facing Maltese society today.
