Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546341
10 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 28 AUGUST 2026 CULTURE Exhibition brings together over 100 works by Guzeppi Briffa More than 100 works by Ġużeppi Briffa are on display in an exhibition at Il- Ħaġar Museum in Victoria, offering a rare glimpse into the work of one of Malta's most prolific modernist artists MORE than 100 works by Ġużeppi Briffa are on display in an exhibition at Il-Ħaġar Muse- um in Victoria, offering a rare glimpse into the work of one of Malta's most prolific modernist artists. Briffa, who lived between 1901 and 1987, spent much of the 20th century developing an ar- tistic language that often chal- lenged convention. His work can still be found in churches across Malta and Gozo, while his influence extended to gen- erations of artists who followed. The exhibition, which includes works from private collections and pieces being shown pub- licly for the first time, explores the breadth of Briffa's interests across six themed sections. Curated by Christian Attard, the exhibition presents Briffa as an artist whose work reflected the changing cultural landscape of the 20th century. He experi- mented not only with oil paint- ing but also with subject matter, becoming one of the first Mal- tese artists to draw significantly on themes associated with pop- ular culture. That approach did not always sit comfortably with the tradi- tions of the time. Briffa faced criticism for moving beyond es- tablished artistic conventions, with his choice of subjects also occasionally attracting opposi- tion from sections of the public and the Church. The exhibition also examines the relationship between spirit- uality and physicality in Briffa's work. Rather than treating the two as opposing concepts, the artist approached them as in- terconnected aspects of human experience. The exhibition aims to shed light on Briffa's working meth- ods through a substantial col- lection of sketches and draw- ings. A compulsive draughtsman, Briffa filled pages with ideas and preparatory studies, many of which preceded commissioned paintings. These drawings provide an unusually intimate glimpse into the process behind some of his finished works. The exhibition at Il-Ħaġar Museum in Victoria runs until 8 September. For more informa- tion check out their Facebook page. The opening night of the exhibition (il-Hagar Museum) Photo: Mark Sagona Photo: Mark Sagona