The Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) opened its new exhibition, “The Space We Inhabit,” in Floriana, Malta, on June 14, 2025. This major exhibition, running until September 28, 2025, spans all three levels of the museum’s gallery and features six renowned Maltese contemporary artists: Caesar Attard, Vince Briffa, Austin Camilleri, Joyce Camilleri, Anton Grech, and Pierre Portelli.
The central theme of the exhibition is space—both real and imagined—explored through various artistic forms such as painting, sculpture, video, and sound installations. Each artist offers a unique interpretation of the concept of space, at times evoking landscapes, and at other times delving into more abstract notions of our place in the world.
Austin Camilleri, “The Thirteen Stones”
(The Eleventh Stone forming part of The Snop House collection)
A Must-See Exhibition
On our first visit to this remarkable exhibition, we were particularly moved by the following standout works:
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“Choir” installation (Level -2) by Pierre Portelli, which repurposes artillery shell cases to resemble a tiered chamber choir. The space is filled with a cappella voices from Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas, creating an immersive auditory experience.
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Installation by Austin Camilleri (Level -1), featuring a suspended “undulated carpet” composed of concrete stone-like pieces—collected, or perhaps “stolen,” from various construction sites across Malta—serving as an imprint of the island’s rapidly changing terrain.
Austin Camilleri, “Carpet”
- Vince Briffa’s painting “The Disquiet of Remains — Between Ash and Dust,” a haunting piece balanced between abstraction and representation. It evokes the wildness and unpredictability of the natural environment, the devastation of storms, and the desiccation caused by the sun.
Vince Briffa, “The Disquiet of Remains — Between Ash and Dust”
About MICAS
With this exhibition, MICAS reinforces its commitment to showcasing Maltese art at the highest level while presenting it on an international platform. “The Space We Inhabit” is part of a regular program dedicated to celebrating the richness and diversity of local contemporary art within a global context.
The exhibition also invites the public to experience Malta’s artistic excellence in a landmark venue—set within restored 17th-century fortifications—offering a truly unique backdrop for contemporary works.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
Admission: €10 (reduced rates available)
“The Space We Inhabit” is a landmark cultural event that poetically and conceptually explores the idea of space. Presented in a bold and innovative setting, it showcases the very best of Malta’s contemporary art scene.
