In pictures: Temporary exhibitions in early Malta

This pictorial attempts to put together early photographic records of temporary exhibitions held in Malta. It may be followed by another pictorial about permanent exhibitions, mostly museum displays.

Poster for an exhibition by prisoners-of-war in Cottonera on April 12, 1919.

Though pre-war periodical literature often refers to cultural shows organised by professional and amateur painters, sculptors, decorators and artisans, visual evidence of their exhibitions remains extremely scarce.

The Malta Art Amateur Association (MAAA) held its widely patronised shows almost annually over many years, probably from 1908 till 1938, in prestigious venues, like the Governor’s Palace. Hundreds of artists took part. Anyone interested will find these events recorded in the press, and in printed catalogues, but in decades of collecting, I have only traced one single photo of an exhibition display.

Another intriguing photograph shows an art class somewhere in Malta crowded by women student painters. Quite mysterious and unique.

The poster advertising the Malta stand at the Wembley Empire Exhibition, 1926, by Edward Caruana Dingli.

Also unusual appear the large exhibitions of handiwork organised by enemy prisoners-of-war during the first world conflict. Many camps’ inmates with an artistic or creative flair filled their interminable hours of enforced idleness by creating handcrafts – in wood, metal, bone, clay, plaster, glass or weaving. Photography, painting and fine printing also appear prominent. Many of these objects ended for sale in large temporary bazaars open to the public. A girlie exhibition poster complements this activity.

The huge international, imperial and colonial exhibitions in London in which Malta participated massively have also left substantial photographic records. The 1886 Indian and Colonial exhibition in London and the 1926 Wembley Empire exhibition followed preliminary competitive displays in Malta, during which local would-be participants put their products on show to enable the organisers to choose the most striking. Photographic evidence of both the domestic and the overseas events is not lacking.

A painting class in Malta exclusively for women students.

Malta’s prehistoric hall in the 1926 Wembley Exhibition.

The Knights of Malta stand at the 1926 Wembley Exhibition.

The Malta Amateur Art Association held annual exhibitions between 1908 and 1938. A 1920s photograph.

One of the exhibitions held in Malta in 1925 in preparation for the 1926 Wembley Empire Exhibition.

Before the great 1926 Wembley Empire Exhibition, public preliminary displays were held in Malta. Right: A section of the Malta stand at the 1886 Colonial Exhibition. Photo: National Museum of Archaeology, Heritage Malta

Exhibition held in Malta in 1886 in anticipation of the London Colonial Exhibition. Photo: National Museum of Archaeology, Heritage Malta

Part of the Malta Court at the 1886 London Colonial Exhibition. Photo: National Museum of Archaeology, Heritage Malta