Maltese contemporary artist Matthew Attard has reached an exciting new milestone, with his digital work ‘Follow the Ship (2024)’ featured and sold at the ‘TOP CHARITY 2025’ auction – the largest philanthropic art event in Europe.

Held in Poland and hosted by philanthropist Omenaa Mensah and the OmenaArt Foundation, this year’s edition raised a record-breaking €14 million, supporting dozens of NGOs across Europe and contributing to a newly established endowment fund. The event brought together leading figures from the worlds of art, culture, and business – with actor Will Smith appearing as special guest – and is now recognised as a key driver of socially impactful art on the global stage.

Among the standout artworks was Matthew’s 127-minute digital video piece, which sold for over €35,000. Titled Follow the Ship (2024), the work builds on the artist’s groundbreaking eye-tracking project I Will Follow the Ship, originally presented at the 60th Venice Biennale as Malta’s official representation.

In this piece, the artist uses eye-tracking technology to digitally ‘redraw’ ship engravings found on Malta’s historic architecture. As he follows the intricate carvings with his eyes, the movement is captured and translated into hypnotic digital visuals – a thought-provoking meditation on heritage, technology, authorship, and the way we perceive the world in the digital age.

Matthew, who is represented by Galleria Michela Rizzo in Venice, has exhibited in leading cultural hubs across the globe, including London, Rome, Los Angeles, Cape Town, and Beijing, and is recognised for his work at the intersection of digital media and contemporary drawing.

The inclusion of his work was made possible through Luginsland of Art, a Poland- and Malta-based initiative by the OmenaArt Foundation aiming to position Malta as a hub for artistic exchange. With ongoing projects including international exhibitions, artist residencies in Malta and Gozo, and the installation of public artworks like Ida Karkoszka’s sculpture in Valletta’s city ditch, the foundation is playing a growing role in Malta’s cultural scene.

From participating in maltabiennale.art 2024 to promoting site-specific exhibitions at Villa Luginsland, this cross-cultural platform is giving Maltese artists the opportunity to shine on the world stage.

Well done Matthew!