With direct thematic reference to Jacques-Louis David painting The Death of Marat and Picasso’s Guernica, Death of Malta is a metaphoric representation of what the artist believed to be the death of the maltese nation and the maltese persona in 2012.
‘Death of Malta’ was part of a collective exhibition held between July 9 and August 14, 2012 at St James Cavalier, Centre for Creativity in Valletta. The collective was titled ‘MIRRORED | Critical Reflections’ and featured works by University of Malta students, namely Ascione Maurizio, Bonnici Keith, Borg David, Calleja Keith, Camillleri Karl, Corrieri Raffaella, Dingli Andrea, Fleri Soler Ella, Galea Stephanie, Grech Jacob, Mizzi Pawlu, Muscat Zach, Tonna Nicholas and Xuereb Steve.
Back in January 21, 2012, I read the booklet Il-Fidwa tal-Anarkiżmu by Mark Montebello and was inspired by the arguments around freedom of individual expression. This is, many times put at risk by various institutions which shape people’s thinking into a pre-defined framework. And people are expected to conform. Such institutions may be media, political or religious, amongst others.
The dead subject figure, framed in media jargon, holds the “original” letter (in French) which reads “Il suffit que je sois bien malheureuse pour avoir droit a votre bienveillance” or in English, “Because I am unhappy, I have a right to your help”. In this case, the letter (originally by traitor Charlotte Corday) is addressed to Malta.
‘Death of Malta’ was installed on the floor of a corridor at St James Cavalier in order for visitors to look at the dead figure surrounded by the media jargon and consider having to trample upon whilst walking.
The Media
Going back to the masters – Review for Times of Malta by Charlene Vella
