Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535025
10 10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 MAY 2025 NEWS Beyond the ruins: Abandoned White Rocks The former military barracks at White Rocks, previously committed for development projects that never materialised, has found a second life through the people who continue to use it in unexpected ways as Juliana Zammit discovers. SITUATED on the coast of Baħar iċ- Ċagħaq, the White Rocks complex offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Once a vibrant military barracks char- acterised by the modernist architecture of Richard England and later repurposed as a holiday complex for British servicemen in the 1960s, the site has since fallen into dis- repair. Nonetheless, on any given day, families and groups of friends can be found scat- tered across the open landscape, enjoying picnics with sea views while small groups of joggers take advantage of the quiet space. Skaters and cyclists have transformed the empty roads into a playground, perfect for tricks and smooth rides whilst photogra- phers and urban explorers are drawn to its captivating charm. After being vacated in the 1990s, numer- ous redevelopment plans were proposed. During the Gonzi administration before 2013, plans were drawn up for a luxury tourist village and sports complex. Later, the Muscat administration toyed with the idea of a village of luxury units. None of the plans ever materialised. Today, the buildings stand as a reminder of Malta's historical past and to an extent its forgotten projects. But the abandoned complex has been appropriated as a space for enjoyment, freedom and discovery by people of different ages as I discovered dur- ing a recent visit. The murals As I step through the entrance of the abandoned complex, which falls within the confines of the Pembroke council, two massive murals immediately caught my eye. Each one stretches across the entire side of a three-storey-high building, standing tall against the backdrop of the sea. These striking paintings are hidden from view from the busy Coast Road, making them a hidden treasure for those who come across them. One of the murals features a well-known character—the Monopoly man. With his thick moustache and signature top hat, he sits in a cart pulled by four strong oxen. The painting is full of details, bringing the scene to life. The second mural is more mysterious and thought-provoking. It portrays a woman, her expression calm yet intense, as she gen- tly holds the world in her hands. The name of the author is placed at the bottom, par- tially hidden behind a small patch of grass. The first artwork was created by Maltese street artist James Micallef Grimaud, who goes by the name Twitch, and the second by Mark Taylor, known as Meataxe. Taylor passed away in February. At 35 years old, Micallef Grimaud has built a strong reputation in the street art scene. This particular project was complet- ed in just six days during a summer some years ago, turning the abandoned building into an open-air art gallery. His mural, the monopoly man, sends a strong message about power, justice, and society. I speak to Grimaud over the phone and he explains his mural carries a social message, using well-known symbols to highlight how people in power often escape accountabili- ty. He points to the Monopoly man, saying it represents how powerful individuals of- ten dominate society. In front of him, a €10 note is seen hanging on a butcher's hook, a symbol of how money controls everything. A commentary on today's world Behind the Monopoly man, there is a cart carrying a statue of Lady Justice with her blindfold pushed up so she can see. She is positioned near factory buildings and a Wall Street building. These symbols, Grimaud emphasises, reflect how the financial and justice systems operate today—where pow- er, money, and justice are in the hands of a few. Twitch's murals frequently tackle serious topics like politics and social issues. For him, street art is not just about painting walls but about provoking thought and questioning the world around us. He believes that his mural at White Rocks, like his others, is a commentary on today's world. Graffiti on the outside of the building Graffiti inside the building