The Agius Family’s Artistic Legacy Comes to Life in Vittoriosa
Joseph Agius
Discover the artistic legacy of three generations of a Maltese family at Joseph Agius id-Dylan: The Lasting Legacy of a Beloved Maltese Artist, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Joseph Agius, his father Carmelo, and Joseph’s son Johann.
Hosted on the second floor of the Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa/Birgu until the end of January 2027, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the family’s creative world, bringing together sculpture, drawing, painting, illustration, cartooning and music.
Joseph Agius, affectionately known as ‘id-Dylan’ for his alleged resemblance to singer Bob Dylan as a teenager, was particularly renowned for continuing his father’s tradition of crafting pasturi, the small clay figures used in traditional Maltese Christmas cribs. However, both Joseph and Carmelo explored a variety of artistic pursuits throughout their lives, many of which are brought to the forefront in this exhibition.
The display also reflects the personal stories behind their work. In 2012, Joseph spent a year as a resident artist at the Inquisitor’s Palace, paying tribute to his father’s sculptural talent. Following Joseph’s passing in August 2025, aged 72, after a years-long battle with lymphoma, his son Johann has taken up the mantle of preserving and celebrating the family’s artistic heritage.
Joseph Agius
Johann Agius
Curated by Audrey Rose Mizzi, the exhibition features several noteworthy pieces, including an original copy of the Maltese literary classic Leli ta’ Ħaż-Żgħir by Ġuże Ellul Mercer, for which Joseph designed the cover. Visitors can also admire an intricate Christmas crib Carmelo created inside a wooden box early in his career, alongside a miniature representation of the Lourdes apparitions set within a clam.
A ten-minute mini-documentary by Nina Musumeci, featuring archival footage supplied by Omar Camilleri, offers further insight into the family’s story. Meanwhile, the final section showcases Johann’s own recent works, including pieces created especially for the exhibition in tribute to his father and grandfather. An interactive area also invites visitors to sit down and express their thoughts through writing or sketching.
The exhibition can be visited with a ticket to the Inquisitor’s Palace, available at the ground-floor reception desk. Heritage Malta members and passport holders can enter free of charge.
