Poster promoting Malta as a sunny tourist destination by Antoine Camilleri, 1955, courtesy of Matthew Demarco.
– Photo by Lisa Attard
‘Centennial Chronicles: Celebrating Malta’s Commercial Legacy’, offers a multidimensional exploration of Malta’s economic and socio-political landscape over the past century. It is thanks to Atlas Insurance and their willingness to portray our commercial history, whilst also celebrating their clients over the last hundred years, that this exhibition took place at all. By analysing the interplay between industry and society, this exhibition serves as a dynamic platform for introspection and dialogue. Each engaging exhibit, with its mixed media and disciplines, unveils a fragment of our nation’s narrative, and above all our identity.
The idea behind this curatorial approach is to have the visitor immerse oneself into the different historical periods, with the artefacts and imagery representing individual anecdotes. To some extent, each ‘cubicle’ acts like an individual cabinet of curiosities reflecting the specific period and highlighting its economic milestones and innovations. For instance, beyond its aesthetic allure, the Maravilla tea figurine, hailing from the shores of Ceylon, now modern-day Sri Lanka, encapsulates a multitude of narratives. It serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of colonialism on global markets and societal structures. It also acts as a catalyst for reflection, prompting us to confront the complexities of our shared history.
‘Maravilla’ tea promotional figurine and cards, on loan from C. Camilleri & Sons.
– Photo by Lisa Attard
Whereas the office installation provides a transportive experience, an ode to the city trader that once was. Where lunch breaks were savoured and afternoon naps were a cherished tradition. A bygone era that excelled in decorum, respect and valued the sense of comradeship with clients and collaborators. The antique objects serve as a nostalgic reminder, while the stories found on the tablet act as a portal to the past, shedding light on the commercial ties with the Malta Chamber, the site which was an integral part of the exhibition planning, forming such a rich part of Malta’s commercial history.
‘Cousis’ tobacco original advert and tin, on loan from Keith Camilleri and Julian Sammut.
– Photo by Lisa Attard
Coming from a background in art and history of art, I wished to incorporate local artistic expression into this exhibition. Not only to embellish, but to appropriately act as a visual aid. It was also interesting to see how these two different sectors, economy and art, overlap and impact one another. From the ex-voto maritime painting, to the tourism posters executed by three of Malta’s pioneers of modern art Antoine Camilleri, Frank Portelli and Emvin Cremona, or a menu designed by contemporary artist Debbie Caruana Dingli, we have used artistic endeavour to shape and enrich our understanding of Malta’s commercial identity. On this note, I would like to express my thanks to Nikolai Debono who was instrumental in uncovering unseen documentation and policies related to economic history, Catherine Calleja and Matthew von Brockdorff for their personal and commercial expertise and insight, as well as Atlas’ clients who collaborated and formed part of this journey. Dr Mario Brincat, a development sociologist, played a pivotal role in fact-checking and contributing expertise on the historical narratives particularly relating to economic history.
‘The Carriage’ restaurant menu featuring work by artist Debbie Caruana Dingli, from the Atlas collection.
With this exhibition, the past converges with the present, offering insights into our evolving identity as a nation. Despite our island’s modest size, our achievements resonate far beyond our shores. Let this exhibition serve as a testament to the unbeatable spirit of our people and leave with a renewed sense of pride in our shared heritage.
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