‘iMprint 7’ opens at the MSA in Valletta

The Malta Society of Arts (MSA) in Valletta is currently hosting iMprint 7: Contemporary Intaglio, the latest edition of Malta’s only exhibition dedicated exclusively to original artistic prints.

Organised by ArtiGrafika, the long-running series continues its mission to promote and celebrate the art of printmaking, offering a captivating showcase of more than 50 works by 30 Maltese and international artists.

Tram Stop by Eva Rex

Among the participating artists is the renowned contemporary artist Caesar Attard, whose contribution takes centre stage with two complete series – Life and Passion. The exhibition also highlights the creativity of ArtiGrafika’s members, demonstrating the vitality and innovation of the local printmaking community.

Curated by art historian Christian Attard, iMprint 7: Contemporary Intaglio explores the expressive potential of the intaglio process, a centuries-old printmaking technique that involves incising an image into a metal plate.

The show features works created using a variety of methods, including aquatint, hard-ground etching, mezzotint, sugar-lift, spit bite and dry-point. The diversity of approaches and subjects reveals the extraordinary possibilities of the medium and its continued relevance in contemporary art.

Experiment 1 by Jesmond Vassallo

Now in its seventh edition, iMprint has become a much-anticipated biennial event since its launch in 2013. It was founded by artists and educators Jesmond Vassallo, Lino Borg and Justin Falzon, who have worked tirelessly to champion printmaking and foster collaboration among Maltese and international artists.

Over the years, the series has evolved into a platform for exchange, education and experimentation – an ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.

This year’s exhibition also marks the second collaboration between the Malta Society of Arts, the Swedish Embassy in Malta and the Swedish Printmakers Association (Grafiska Sällskapet), one of the world’s oldest printmaking collectives founded in 1910. The partnership underscores iMprint’s growing international reach and its role in strengthening cultural ties through artistic exchange.

Untitled by Justin Falzon

According to Roderick Camilleri, acting president of the MSA, the iMprint series continues to play an essential role in “preserving and revitalising Malta’s printmaking heritage, opening new pathways for engagement, collaboration,and artistic exchange”.

He describes Contemporary Intaglio as a celebration of both technical mastery and creative experimentation, reflecting the enduring relevance of printmaking within the broader context of contemporary art.

One of the distinctive qualities of intaglio printmaking is its ability to produce limited editions of hand-pulled prints. Each piece in the exhibition is individually signed and numbered by the artist, affirming its authenticity as an original work of art. This accessibility has helped bring original, collectible artworks within reach of a wider audience, further contributing to the popularity of the medium.

Standing Nude from the Back by Lino Borg

Through the iMprint series, the Malta Society of Arts continues to honour ArtiGrafika’s dedication to keeping printmaking alive and dynamic. The collaboration stands as a testament to the strength of Malta’s artistic community and its openness to international dialogue and innovation.

iMprint 7: Contemporary Intaglio runs until November 20 at the Malta Society of Arts, Valletta. For more information, visit artsmalta.org or the Malta Society of Arts Facebook page at facebook. com/maltasocietyofarts.