From the shadows into the limelight: Carmelo Mangion’s mystery & modernity comes to life in Gozo
The exhibition will run between Sunday 6th July and Monday 8th September.
This summer, Gozo’s cultural scene takes a bold step forward with a long-overdue tribute to one of Malta’s most underrepresented modern artists. Il-Ħaġar Museum in Victoria presents ‘Carmelo Mangion: Mystery and Modernity’, a remarkable retrospective that celebrates the work, life, and legacy of Carmelo Mangion (1905–1997). The exhibition opens on July 6th and runs until September 8th, with free admission for all visitors.
Curated by Dr Nikki Petroni, this unique exhibition brings Carmelo Mangion’s diverse and expressive body of work out of the shadows. Known for his enigmatic style and masterful use of etching, Carmelo Mangion is a name that deserves a much bigger spotlight in the story of Maltese modern art.
Featuring portraits, thematic landscapes, and rare etchings – many of which haven’t been seen by the public in decades – the exhibition provides a rare opportunity to appreciate the artist’s quiet yet powerful contribution.
Born in Naxxar in 1905, Carmelo Mangion showed artistic promise early on. His formal training began under society painter Giuseppe Duca and continued with the highly esteemed Edward Caruana Dingli. He later refined his skills at the British Academy of Art in Rome and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris, two institutions that shaped his classical and modernist blend.
But it was his time at New York’s Central School of Art that truly defined his artistic voice. Here, he developed a passion for etching, one that would later influence an entire generation of Maltese modernists.
Carmelo’s impact goes well beyond his own work. He played a pivotal role in mentoring some of Malta’s most celebrated artists, including Emvin Cremona, Anton Inglott, William Apap, and Frank Portelli, to name a few. His influence can be traced through decades of Maltese art history, and this exhibition finally gives him the credit he deserves.
The exhibition is made possible thanks to the close collaboration between Il-Ħaġar Museum and the Mangion family, who have worked tirelessly to bring Carmelo’s legacy back into the public eye. Visitors will also be able to explore a detailed timeline of his life and a specially produced exhibition catalogue, which explores his artistic development and impact on the Maltese cultural landscape.
‘Carmelo Mangion: Mystery and Modernity’ opens on Saturday 6th July and will remain on display until Sunday 8th September at Il-Ħaġar Museum, Victoria (Gozo), and entry is completely free.
For more information, visit www.heartofgozo.org.mt or follow Il-Ħaġar on Facebook or Instagram for updates.