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2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 FEBRUARY 2026 CULTURE Maurizio Cattelan to headline Malta Biennale 2026 FAMED Italian artist, Maurizio Cattelan will be headlining the Malta Biennale 2026, which will open to the public on 14 March, following a three-day preview from 11-13 March and an official opening on 10 March. Known for his satirical and pro- vocative practice, Cattelan rose to international prominence through works such as America (2016) and Comedian (2019), pro- jects that sparked global debate and established him as a leading figure in contemporary art. Cattelan is one of eight artists in- vited to participate in this second edition of the contemporary art platform which will unfold across 11 impressive venues managed by Heritage Malta, spanning four main localities: Valletta and Vit- toriosa in Malta, as well as Xagħra and Victoria in Gozo. Under the artistic direction of internationally renowned curator, Rosa Martínez, the Malta Bien- nale 2026 will bring together over 130 Maltese and international artists from across the continents, through a main exhibition spread across venues in Malta and Gozo, alongside national and thematic pavilions in Valletta and Vittori- osa. Complementing the main ex- hibition and pavilion offering, the Malta Biennale 2026 will also present an extensive programme of over 80 educational activities for audiences of all ages, in ad- dition to 12 satellite events. The Malta Biennale 2026 is held un- der the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency the President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono. The Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, said that, "More than 3,200 applications from 122 dif- ferent countries were submitted to the Malta Biennale 2026, out of which, 40 projects were selected, including works by 8 by Maltese artists. These projects will form part of the exhibition to be held between March and May in Heritage Malta sites. Minister Bonnici also stated that the Biennale will build on the sol- id foundations of the first edition; strengthening the Government's commitment to contemporary art and its support for Maltese artists. He maintained that such initia- tives enable space for dialogue and reflection on the main challeng- es faced by humanity in today's world, while simultaneously offer- ing a unique opportunity to tour- ists visiting our country to enjoy a distinct cultural experience. During a press conference held at MUŻA, Mario Cutajar, Pres- ident of the Malta Biennale and Chairman of Heritage Malta, ex- plained that "between March and May, more than 130 artists from 43 countries will transform these islands into an international centre of artistic innovation and creativity. Eleven Heritage Malta sites will host works inspired by our rich heritage, creating a dia- logue between past and present – a unique experi- ence that has placed Malta on the global cultural calendar and estab- lished it as a leading destination during the Malta Biennale". Details relating to the Malta national pavilion to be held at MUŻA – the 'home' of the Malta Biennale – were also announced. Following a public call issued last year three artists were selected to participate in the pavilion: Victor Agius, Roderick Camilleri, and Gulja Holland. Two additional artists – Vince Briffa and Pierre Portelli – were invited to take part in the project. The Malta pavilion is curated by Dr Katya Micallef, Principal Curator at MUŻA. For its second edition, the Mal- ta Biennale 2026 is set to present a significantly expanded pro- gramme, featuring a total 27 pa- vilions. Eight of these are national pavilions – Malta, Poland, Spain, Finland, Armenia, China, Serbia, and France – alongside 19 the- matic pavilions. These include notable collaborations with other international biennales such as the Gwangju Biennale in South Korea and the Çanakkale Bienni- al Initiative (CABANIN). Having almost doubled in number since its inaugural edition, the 2026 Bi- ennale also proudly "announces a pioneering pavilion organised by the Correctional Services Agency, showcasing artworks created by its residents. This important ad- dition underscores the Biennale's commitment to broadening cul- tural participation and amplifying diverse creative voices. The Malta Biennale is organised by Heritage Malta in partnership with Arts Council Malta and Visit Malta and in collaboration with the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning. Malta Society of Arts unveils restored Anton Inglott painting THE Malta Society of Arts (MSA) has unveiled the restored Sacred Heart of Jesus (1943) by Maltese artist Anton Inglott (1915–1945), following a major conservation project carried out by Prevarti with the support of the HSBC Malta Foundation. The painting, which forms part of the MSA's permanent collec- tion, will now be on display in the Chapel at Palazzo de La Salle, the MSA's historic seat in Valletta. Painted on plywood during the Second World War, the work had suffered natural ageing and earli- er restoration interventions. The conservation process involved meticulous cleaning and stabili- sation, including the removal of discoloured varnish and accumu- lated surface deposits. This has allowed Inglott's original colour palette and expressive treatment of light to re-emerge after dec- ades of obscurity. One of the most striking out- comes of the restoration is the renewed clarity of the light ra- diating from Jesus Christ's heart – a bold and distinctly modern feature that reflects Inglott's pro- gressive approach to religious im- agery at the time. Research carried out during the project also revealed that the in- scription beneath the painting had originally been gilded. The decorative frame was subse- quently treated, and the gilding carefully reinstated using tradi- tional techniques, restoring an important visual and symbolic detail. The painting's physical restoration runs parallel to a complex history surrounding its original reception. Inglott's Sacred Heart of Jesus marked an important moment when it was donated to the MSA in 1943. It stirred immediate con- troversy due to the artist's por- trayal of Christ as a stylised and dark-skinned figure, and through the replacement of the heart with an abstract flood of light, which at the time was perceived as running counter to Catholic iconographic tradition. The consecration ceremony was postponed indefinitely, and the painting was relegated to a stor- age space in the Society's base- ment. Ultimately, Sacred Heart of Jesus was rejected in favour of a commission from Inglott's close friend, Emvin Cremona (1919– 1987), who painted a more literal, and therefore more conventional, version of the Sacred Heart. The two paintings are now on display in the MSA's Chapel, facing each other, positioned symbolically at opposite ends of the space. Eventually, Inglott's Sacred Heart of Jesus was rediscovered by a new generation of research- ers and curators, and has since come to be recognised as a mas- terpiece of Maltese modern art. Today, Sacred Heart of Jesus can once again be experienced by the public, following a restoration that safeguards both its material integrity and artistic significance. The official unveiling of the re- stored Inglott painting, together with the Malta Society of Arts' Gold Medal Ceremony for 2025 honouring Darrin Zammit Lu- pi, will be aired on the channel TVM+ on Friday 20 February 2026 at 9.15pm.