maltabiennale.art: Malta’s First Art Biennale announced for 2024
This coming year will see the inaugural edition of maltabiennale.art, as announced by Arts Council Malta’s Chairman Albert Marshall. As the first ever Maltese-centric Biennale, it is set to become the cultural event of 2024. maltabiennale.art is a Heritage Malta initiative, organised along with its primary collaborator Arts Council Malta, among others.
That being said, the biennale still features international artists; The 80 artists come from 23 different countries, though 24 of them are Maltese, with an additional two forming part of the Maltese diaspora. The festivities will be spread throughout Malta and Gozo in 21 historic sites—17 of which are under the care of Heritage Malta. The megalithic temples of Ġgantija and Birgu’s Armoury, as well as Valletta’s freshly renovated Grandmaster’s Palace, will serve as the primary venues.
The biennale will also have a public programme with participation from institutions like the International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites (UNESCO), the Biennale de la photographie in Larnaca and Mulhouse, the Academy of Arts in Florence, Naples’ L’Orientale and Milan’s IULM Universities, as well as Image Threads in New York. Local participants include the Valletta Cultural Agency, Festivals Malta, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Magna Żmien, ŻfinMalta, KorMalta, Manoel Theatre, and Heritage Malta.
This biennale blends contemporary art with national heritage, with the goal of improving and diversifying an already strong sector by fostering greater dialogue between Maltese art and that which exists outside its borders. The featured artists include well-known figures like Tania Bruguera of Cuba, Andrea Ferrero of Mexico, Barbra Kapusta of Austria, Dew Kim of South Korea, Edson Chagas of Angola, Amy Bravo of the USA, Anna Anderegg of Switzerland, Italy’s Post Disaster Collective, and Agnes Questionmark, among others.
curators Elisa Carollo, Emma Mattei and Sofia Baldi Pighi
On Malta’s end, Austin Camilleri, Norbert Attard, Trevor Borg, Romeo Roxman Gatt, and Martina Farrugia are some of the Maltese artists who’ll be taking part in maltabiennale.art. If the 2,500 artistic submissions from over 100 countries are any indication, the biennale will guarantee Malta a place on the global cultural calendar. maltabiennale.art is happening thanks to the collaborative efforts of its curatorial team, which includes Artistic Director and Head Curator Sofia Baldi Pighi, Deputy Artistic Director and Setup Designer Nigel Baldacchino, together with curators Elisa Carollo and Emma Mattei.
Malta’s first art biennale will be held from March 11 to May 31 2024, perfectly coinciding with the arrival of spring. Under the patronage of UNESCO and the President of Malta, the biennale is organised in collaboration with Visit Malta, Malta Libraries, MCAST, Festivals Malta, and the Valletta Cultural Agency. It is also supported by the Ministries of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, and Gozo.
To learn more, visit maltabiennale.art.
