Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1530962
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 DECEMBER 2024 2 ART New mural at the University of Malta: Exploring Malta's identity through arts and science A new mural inspired by Mal- ta's past and present that crit- ically ref lects on its identity, has been painted by Universi- ty of Malta students at the in- stitution in the tunnel under Regional road that connects the Msida campus with the Tal-Qroqq Sports Complex. The mural was unveiled by the Rector, Prof. Alfred Vella to- gether with Arts Council Mal- ta representatives Over the last few months, UM students enrolled in the Master in Teaching and Learning Art had lectures on archaeology, driving a different perspective on the Megalithic Temples of Malta (Prof. Nicholas C. Vella), real ship adventures about the time of the Knights Hospitaller (Order of Knights of the Hos- pital of Saint John of Jerusalem, by Prof. Emanuel Buttigieg), the genetics of the Maltese people (by Prof. Joseph Borg), and connections between the diaspora and contemporary art in Malta and the US (by Prof. Thomas Scicluna, Florida In- ternational University). The project is called 'Inter- disciplinary Murals' and is led by Prof. Raphael Vella & Dr Edward Duca and supported by Arts Council Malta with the Arts in School scheme. They worked with the Spanish street artist Pep Walls, and helped the students critically reflect on the topics covered by the academics. The students re- searched various themes and opted for a 'multispecies' ap- proach, linking local identity to the identity of the land, sea and endemic species, with a touch of Tberfil—the ever loved local font. MTL Art students participat- ing in the mural are Sherise Attard, Edera Muscat, Kristine Saliba Caruana, Peter Aquilina, Carlos Cutajar, Aden Cacciat- tolo, and Mikael Scicluna.