Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1500237
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 MAY 2023 4 ART 'Malta 1971' a photographic exhibition by Uno Karlsson SWEDISH photographer Uno Karlsson together with the photographs he captured of Malta return back to the is- lands this month after an ab- sence of over 50 years. Born on the eve of Christmas, 1940 in the midst of World War 2, Uno grew up in the countryside. Early on, he had a longing for the great oceans and desired to become a sailor. At the ten- der age of fifteen, he was able to fulfil his dream. The sailor's lot became a short but eventful part of his life. After a class in photogra- phy in 1961, he discovered the camera as a tool to tell his sto- ries. To document life became his passion. His camera and a roll of film, his entry ticket to encounter interesting people in different settings. In 1962, he met his future wife, Marianne. Nine years later, they boarded a plane and travelled to Malta on holiday. They knew that Malta then was a relatively undiscovered tourist destination and that the Maltese were kind people who also spoke English. It all seemed very practical. Mari- anne bought sunscreen. Uno bought twenty rolls of Kod- achrome slide, coloured film. They enjoyed thirteen long days basking in the Mediterra- nean sun and many a late night washed away with food and wine. For Uno, this was also an opportunity for early morning strolls, camera in hand, pho- tographing whatever attracted his eyes. For 50 years, he had the idea that these photos should be exhibited in Malta. His daugh- ter Maria sent some photos he captured to a Maltese facebook group in 2021. The feedback received was enormous and the Malta Postal Museum offered him the op- portunity to show the photos he took to the Maltese people. 'Malta 1971' is hosted by the Malta Postal Museum at 135, Archbishop Street, Valletta and runs from 5 May to 3 June 23. Opening hours are from 10am till 4pm, Monday to Fri- day and 10 am till 2pm on Sat- urday. Entrance to view the Exhibition is free. Uno Karlsson is an award-win- ning documentary photogra- pher who has held a number of exhibitions and published several books. He captured his photos with a 35mm film camera and a wide-angle lens. He developed his film and printed his photographs in his darkroom. Uno Karlsson