Renowned local artist and curator, Prof. Raphael Vella, who is also a Professor of Art Education within the Department of Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education at the University’s Faculty of Education, has been chosen to represent Malta at the Biennale di Venezia International Art Exhibition in 2026.
He will be part of the Malta Pavilion alongside sculptor Adrian Abela and filmmaker Charlie Cauchi.
‘No Need to Sparkle’, the theme will be addressed by the Maltese team of artists through the National Pavilion, will signal the audience to surrender themselves to uncertainty and embrace doubt against a background of unstable times.
The artists will be creating a space that “goes contrary to loud, political convictions and instead places its trust in a radical uncertainty”.
The Biennale, now in its 61st edition, will be held in Venice between 9 May and 22 November and the overall theme will be “In Minor Keys”.
The Arts Council Malta, under the auspices of the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, is the commissioner of the Malta Pavilion at the Biennale.
Malta returned to the Biennale in 2017 after a lengthy absence, with its own National Pavilion. Prior to that, it had participated with special exhibitions.
More information can be found .
