Vexilla Regis – an exhibition of Crucifixes
Via Crucis: It-Triq tas-Salib
Twilights: an exhibition of sacred art by Aaron Formosa
Since Il-Ħaġar is now closed because of the latest health restrictions, current temporary exhibitions have been transferred online. Though the management appreciates that it is not the same experience as being present physically, this should offer some idea of what was available.
“Twilights” features sacred art by Aaron Formosa. Basically a self-taught painter, he was born in 1980 and has participated in various collective and solo exhibitions in Malta and Gozo. His works can be found in private and public collections, locally and overseas. In his art, Formosa aims to capture the intensity of transient emotions and communicate these experienced moments. A crepuscular light pervades these paintings in such a way that the loosely painted figures seek to manifest themselves in this aura of semi-darkness. He teaches philosophy, in which he holds a masters degree, at the Sir M. Refalo Sixth Form.
All the paintings are for sale* and can be seen in greater detail by clicking on each separate one. Kindly send an email to info@heartofgozo.org.mt if interested in acquiring any of the paintings still for sale.
*Sold paintings are marked accordingly
1 The Annunciation 1 Oil on wood 48x15cm 2019 SOLD
2 The Annunciation 2 Oil on wood 33.5×17.8cm 2019 SOLD
3 The Marriage of the Virgin 1 Oil on canvas 30x40cm 2017 Private Collection
4 The Marriage of the Virgin 2 Oil on canvas 30x24cm 2017 Private Collection
5 The Marriage of the Virgin 3 (a study) Oil on wood 33.5×33.5cm 2014 SOLD
6 The Marriage of the Virgin 4 Oil on canvas 25x30cm 2020 SOLD
7 The Visitation 1 Oil on wood 48x15cm 2019 SOLD
8 The Visitation 2 Oil on canvas 60x40cm 2020 € 330
9 Nativity 1 Oil on canvas 40x30cm 2016 Private collection
10 Nativity 2 (Pastoral Symphony) Oil on canvas 50x40cm 2017 Private Collection
11 Nativity 3 Oil on canvas 30x40cm 2019 SOLD
12 Nativity 4 Oil on canvas 30x24cm 2019 € 300
13 Nativity 5 Oil on canvas 40x30cm 2018 € 300
14 The Presentation of Christ at the Temple Oil on wood 50×15.3cm 2020 SOLD
15 The Death of St Joseph Oil on canvas 40x40cm 2019 Private Collection
16 The Temptations of Christ in the Desert Oil on canvas 30x50cm 2012 Il-Ħaġar Museum (donated by the artist)
17 Christ and the Children 1 Oil on canvas 50x40cm 2020 € 420
18 Christ and the Children 2 (a study) Oil on canvas 40x30cm 2020 Private Collection
19 Christ and the Children 3 Oil on canvas 50x50cm 2017 SOLD
20 Christ and the Children 4 Oil on canvas 50x60cm 2017 SOLD
21 Christ Healing the Sick Child 1 Oil on board 35x45cm 2019 € 350
22 Christ Healing the Sick Child 2 Oil on canvas 30x40cm 2020 SOLD
23 Christ Healing the Sick Child 3 Oil on canvas 50x60cm 2019 SOLD
24 Christ Healing the Sick Child 4 (or the Victory of Light over Darkness) Oil on canvas 30x30cm 2020 € 200
25 Christ Raising the Child of Jairus from the Dead Oil on canvas 60x60cm 2018 SOLD
26 Christ Healing a Sick Person Oil on canvas 50x50cm 2017 Private Collection
27 Christ and the Adulteress Oil on canvas 40x40cm 2014 Private Collection
28 The Last Supper Oil on canvas 40x40cm 2019 SOLD
29 Christ Falling under the Cross on the Way to Calvary Oil on canvas 55x45cm 2019 SOLD
30 Deposition 1 Oil on canvas 40x30cm 2018 SOLD
31 Deposition 2 Oil on canvas 24x30cm 2020 SOLD
32 The Walk to Emmaus 1 (a study) Oil on wood 27.6×19.6cm 2020 Private Collection
33 The Walk to Emmaus 2 Oil on wood 34×28.2cm 2020 SOLD
34 The Supper at Emmaus 1 Oil on canvas 24x30cm 2019 SOLD
35 The Supper at Emmaus 2 Oil on canvas 30x30cm 2019 SOLD
36 The Supper at Emmaus 3 Oil on canvas 24x30cm 2020 SOLD
37 The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles 1 Oil on canvas 30x24cm 2020 SOLD
38 The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles 2 Oil on board 30x24cm 2019 SOLD
39 The Death of the Virgin 1 Oil on canvas 50x50cm 2018 SOLD
40 The Death of the Virgin 2 (a study) Oil on board 45x35cm 2019 € 330
41 The Assumption of the Virgin 1 Oil on board 40x30cm 2019 SOLD
42 The Assumption of the Virgin 2 Oil on canvas 40x30cm 2020 SOLD
43 The Call of Karmni Grima 1 Oil on wood 22.5×31.5cm 2019 SOLD
44 The Call of Karmni Grima 2 Oil on canvas 50x60cm 2019 € 400
45 The Call of Karmni Grima 3 Oil on canvas 24x30cm 2020 € 220
Joseph Vella and Oliver Friggieri: A Meeting of Minds
Since Il-Ħaġar is now closed because of the latest health restrictions, current temporary exhibitions have been transferred online. Though the management appreciates that it is not the same experience as being present physically, this should offer some idea of what was available.
Joseph Vella and Oliver Friggieri: A Meeting of Minds, set up for the third anniversary of Mro Vella’s demise, is a documentary exhibition offering an overview highlighting collaborations between two greats of the Maltese art scene. Is-Surmast’s Music Archive, which he donated just a few hours before his passing is also available for research purposes and can be visited on level 3.
The posters below can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Il-Ħaġar Museum closed
We regret to inform you that in view of the new COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Government, Il-Ħaġar Museum will be closed with immediate effect until 11 April 2021. However, one can still admire its Lenten displays online.
One of the exhibits include hundreds of miniature clay statuettes representing a Good Friday procession. The statuettes were made by Joseph Agius, Paul Muscat and the late Lino Fardell, long-established Christmas crib artisans. The idea of creating this artistic Good Friday procession was, in fact, developed within the circle of presepisti and pasturi artisans. There are figurines of various styles, representing both the strictly traditional devotional procession and the modern pageantry type.
Vexilla Regis, housed in a showcase on level -1, has an impressive range of Crucifixes, from different periods and in assorted styles.
An exhibition of sacred art -Twilights – by Aaron Formosa is also available to view online. The theme of the exhibition is human existence in the light of Christ – the spiritual light which enlightens the human condition and makes it meaningful.
Il-Ħaġar Museum is also commemorating the 3rd anniversary of Mro Joseph Vella’s demise with an exhibition about the collaborations between him and another Maltese great who passed away last year, Profs Oliver Frggieri. Joseph Vella and Oliver Friggieri: A Meeting of Minds includes a number of posters regarding the two works, Rewwixta and Il-Belt Rebbieha.