One of Emvin Cremona’s (1919–1987) most intriguing bodies of work is often referred to as the ‘broken glass series’, though Cremona referred to them specifically as ‘glass collages’. This distinction sets the tone and pace of the exhibition, as we transition from the idea of something broken to something reconstructed, collaged, and pieced back together. The exhibition aims to uncover the artist’s intentions behind this fascinating series while also exploring the historical-political-technological context in which he was working. The choice of glass is no coincidence. Cremona was deeply intrigued by matter and material, constantly seeking to express and experiment with their inherent qualities. His works not only reflect the tensions of the era in which they were created but also serve as an exploration of the tensions within matter itself, and the very processes of creation-destruction-recreation.  

Emvin Cremona (1919–1987) occupies an ambivalent position in the artistic climate of twentieth-century Malta. At the height of his career, and after having garnered a formidable reputation especially through his numerous ecclesiastical commissions, Cremona finally—and unforgettably—breached local public opinion and expectation in 1969 with a surprising display of works, which hung like antonyms to the graphic and iconic compositions for which he was so widely sought. Here was a series of works in which content takes on the tangible and expressive reality of matter, revealing Cremona’s profound fascination with material and a spirit of experimentation, undeniably nodding towards earlier international movements, yet nonetheless hinged between freedom and caution.

‘Emvin Cremona: The Glass Collage’ is the first in a series of exhibitions in collaboration with Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, celebrating the Maltese modern art period. As a gallery rooted in Malta, it is vital for us to spotlight those artists who worked concurrently, or sometimes in dialogue, with figures like Victor Pasmore. This exhibition marks the beginning of an ongoing commitment to revisit, re-contextualise, and celebrate the contributions of these Maltese modern artists, many of whom remain underrepresented. It is the first of many steps in telling a richer, more inclusive narrative of our modern artistic heritage.

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