There’s a new reason to wander into Valletta’s Archaeology Museum this winter and it’s anything but ordinary. Antler Cry, the latest solo exhibition by Maltese artist Anthony Catania curated by Dr Jean Pierre Magro, has just opened and it’s already being described as one of the season’s most compelling cultural experiences.

Running until 11th January 2026, the exhibition is free to visit and makes the perfect cultural stop on a day out in the capital. Visit from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, except for the following days, on which the exhibition will not be open to the public: 19, 24, 25, 31 December and 1 January 2026. Exhibition tours and Meet the Artist sessions will be taking place on the 6th and 13th December, and on the 7th January at 11am.

At its heart, Antler Cry reimagines the ancient myth of Actaeon, the hunter who accidentally stumbles upon the goddess Artemis (Diana in Roman Mythology) bathing and pays for it with a transformation that seals his fate. His punishment was transformation. He became a stag, only to be torn apart by his own hounds. The artist doesn’t retell the myth; he uses it as an emotional compass and a way to explore what happens when we witness something we’re not meant to see, and how that moment can change everything.

His canvases are the evidence of that cost. Defined by violent strokes, dark hues and a raw, almost physical texture, his work directly challenges the viewer’s comfort. There is nothing decorative here, nothing polite. Each painting feels like a psychological excavation, urging us to confront what lies beneath our own polished surfaces.

For Anthony Catania, the pivotal moment is that sharp intake of breath: the instant of forbidden sight. The exhibition follows the ripple effect of this moment, turning it into a visual journey through consequence, vulnerability, and the cost of crossing boundaries.

Curator Dr Jean Pierre Magro describes Antler Cry as ‘a profound and terrifying body of work’ that positions Catania as ‘a fearless and essential poet of the European macabre’. But don’t let the word terrifying keep you away! The atmosphere is less horror and more human truth, expressed through bold, visceral artistry.

Even as the myth comes from ancient Greece, the soul of the exhibition is unmistakably Maltese. Malta, with its layered history and its constant pull between the sacred and the everyday, pulses through Catania’s canvases.

Malta is a land of sharp contrasts. It is a sun-drenched island shaped by sieges, where baroque churches stand tense beside ancient fortresses. This constant friction between the sacred and the profane, the beautiful and the brutal, pulses through his art. The figures are distorted, textured, almost carved from the paint itself, carrying the influence of Francis Bacon, yet they feel deeply rooted in Mediterranean soil.

Visitors are welcomed by Whispers in the Ashen Thicket, a deceptively quiet opening scene featuring a dog drinking from a still pool. From there, the emotional intensity rises until it reaches its peak in the breathtaking Antlered Transfiguration Under Death’s Gaze. This monumental canvas captures Actaeon’s violent transformation: a human becoming a stag, caught between identities, drowning in colour, motion, and consequence.

What sets Antler Cry apart isn’t just its storytelling, its technique, or its bold reinterpretation of myth. It’s the way it slows you down. In a world of scrolling and swiping, Catania’s art invites you to pause, to truly see, and to consider the weight of seeing.

Whether you’re a regular museum-goer, a casual art lover, or someone who simply wants to experience something new in Valletta, Antler Cry offers a powerful, accessible journey into emotion, myth, and Maltese identity. Entrance is free of charge – for more details, visit vca.gov.mt/en/ or the Valletta Cultural Agency Facebook page.