An exhibition of photographic works by Jacob Sammut is currently showing at Christine X in Sliema until May 28.

The images presented to us by Sammut in his latest project leading to the exhibition Via: Way of the Streets are a documentation of our times and stories of the lives of the people who walk in their midst.

The candid moments direct our attention to the subtleties we often miss in our daily lives but also stand as a tool to educate those who get to see the photos in the years to come; this is why these photographs are to be treated as documents to be preserved and archived for future generations to see.

The title of the exhibition Via came about the people walking the streets linking us all together through these photographic documentaries.

Every day, millions of people walk or take part in an activity on the street, small as it may be. It is where history’s most minor and most significant events happen. The streets offer detailed information regarding the social and economic status of the country, city or area in which the photographs are captured. The images used in this edition of Via have been chosen from a vast archive of work the photographer has been working on since 2014. They were shot using 35mm or 120 medium-format, black-and-white film. They were then developed by hand and hand-printed on fibre-based paper in the darkroom at archival standards.

Sammut’s photography explores the poetic variations of daily life and everyday people

Sammut’s photography explores the poetic variations of daily life and everyday people. He develops black-and-white negatives and makes silver gelatin prints in his personal darkroom.

His black-and-white photos give an idea of life experiences by turning the streets of cities in search of something that can amaze him, something that interests and creates surprise. Black-and-white imagery is his way of conveying the present authentically, which also comes with the use of analogue film.

With analogue film, there’s that element of surprise when capturing that decisive moment, the essence of an ephemeral event which requires an acquired skill in knowing how to pick the right frame and pressing the shutter at the right time. 

Sammut is not new to the local photographic scene and although analogue film is what he’s passionate about, he freelances with digital photography for various magazines and papers on a regular basis.

Via: Way of The Streets is on at Christine X Curated, Sliema, until May 28. Consult the venue’s Facebook page for opening hours.