Malta and Gozo Students Prize 2025

This tender painting captures an intimate moment between a mother and her baby. The mother, dressed in flowing white, leans in close, her gentle touch and loving gaze radiating warmth and affection. The baby’s calm expression reflects trust and connection, creating a serene atmosphere. The soft lighting and muted tones enhance the sense of closeness and the timeless bond between parent and child. 

For me, each birthday feels as though the entire world transforms into a magical fairyland. This drawing depicts a girl celebrating her special day, her face glowing with joy and the soft candlelight. Her hands are clasped together, making a heartfelt wish. The background is filled with fantastical creatures, beautifully reflecting the wonder of childhood.

A portrait of a character from a famous series using digital chalk and pastel brushes to create a soft and detailed

This is an acrylic painting which depicts a bride throwing her bouquet to a crowd of guests gathered behind her. According to tradition, whoever catches the bouquet will marry first. This is a beautiful tradition which creates everlasting memories for the bride and her guests. The artist has decided to paint this memorable moment from her parents’ wedding, which left a lasting impression on her since she was still very young. The wedding dress is also her mother’s, which adds to the sentimental value of the painting. 

By combining elements such as fierce animals and fragile flora, I aim to explore not just aesthetic contrasts but emotional and philosophical dualities. These pairings highlight the coexistence of destruction and fragility, permanence and impermanence. The tension within these contrasts brings an intense and layered depth to the artwork, inviting viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between opposing forces. Additionally, I chose more complex composition and perspective techniques to enhance the tension in the artwork, making the narrative and dramatic effect more compelling. I realize that the combination of opposing elements is not merely an aesthetic contrast but also a profound emotional and philosophical expression. This concept permeates my creation and serves as the foundation of inspiration for these two pieces.

This oil-on-canvas painting depicts three starving children sitting on cracked, parched earth, symbolizing the harsh reality of dry land, hunger and poverty. Their sorrowful expressions and frail bodies contrast with the excess and materialistic life we are used to living. Through this artwork the artist wanted to make people more aware and mindful of those living in extreme poverty to empathize with them and to help them in any way possible.

Night. A bus passing by. On the black canvas that a side of the bus appears to be in the dark, only its small windows glow. Behind one of them, a glimpse of two faces looking outside. A brief sight before the bus disappears as quickly as it came into view. 

A drawing expressing the sorrows of the Holy Mary.

This artwork represents the power of struggle, and the game played in Maltese history between politics and religion. The title Ilum Jien u Ghada Int (Today me, Tomorrow you) is a Maltese saying chosen because it shows the constant shift in the landscape of who is in power. 

Is-Sinjura l- Hamra is a tribute to my grandfather’s beloved car, which he keeps in immaculate condition, spending hours polishing and admiring it as though it were one of his daughters. The setting is a typical Maltese town, with its traditional balconies lining the street and the Maltese flag proudly flying in the background. This painting captures not just a moment in time, but the connection between my grandfather, his car, and the vibrant spirit of Malta that has shaped my life. 

This self-portrait is an exploration of the complex layers that make up who I am. The bold, clashing paintbrush colours seek to represent different chapters of my life, from moments of joy to periods of confusion. The contrasts invite a deeper reflection on the nature of my experiences. With my tongue playfully sticking out, I invite the viewer to wonder and look beyond the surface, encouraging them to uncover the stories hidden beneath the exterior. 

Motherhood in today’s hectic world might not always be easy but the deep connection and love between a mother and her child prevail through time. In doing this painting, I was inspired by Icons of Virgin Mary holding her Son Jesus. However, I wanted to give it a modern twist or representation by portraying a more intimate and playful moment between the mother and her child so that the viewer could reflect and relate more to it. Mothers reflecting on their bond with their sons/daughters, and us towards our mothers! 

This painting represents an innocent child observing society’s structure in a cartoonish way to depict his generation reflecting historical influence. The tiered structure reflects how various roles shape the present and future. The statue at the top symbolizes morality and a guiding ideal. 

I created this painting to capture the raw emotion of the feeling of not feeling enough, under the weight of societal standards and the desire to fit in. At my age, appearance is a particularly sensitive topic, and I wanted to reflect that struggle. 

This piece is inspired by the duality of human nature and the eternal struggle between primal desires and the pursuit of redemption. The beast, bound by chains leading toward the light, represents humanity’s raw instincts restrained by societal norms. A serpent coils around its waist, symbolizing greed and innate impulses, while the chains signify the restrictions imposed by the world. Surrounded by hellfire, skeletal remains, and shadowy creatures, the beast is engulfed in chaos. Yet, in the light, fiery red flowers bloom, portraying the paradoxical coexistence of hope, destruction, and the possibility of salvation. 

I was inspired by the comfort I feel when having tea at my grandparent’s house so I decided to paint my perspective to share that sentiment with anyone who views the artwork. I call them Opa and Oma because my grandmother is German. 

An interpretation of the fall of Icarus

A painting depicting the horrors of war and displacement.

This artwork is about expressing feelings of vulnerability and solitude. I used a black and white palette to create a quiet emotional mood and the figure`s posture is leaning back on the chair and shows a moment of reflection or emotional exhaustion. The soft light highlights the body whilst the blurry background creates a dreamlike/detached atmosphere. By leaving the face hidden, I wanted to make the figure feel universal so anyone looking at it could connect and see their own emotions in it. For me this piece is about the struggle between showing your true self and wanting to hide it away. I would call it The Weight of Being. 

This artwork shows an old man holding up a mask of a smiling face. The background shows various situations/struggles, a person may encounter in his/her life. The eyes of the old man express concern and worry but this maybe hidden by the mask he holds. The painting is meant to send a message to the viewer, that in life we all go through struggles and hard times and hiding our situation behind a smile or the image we try to project of ourselves doesn`t really help! It also reminds us that even though those around us may be smiling, they might still be going through struggles without those around them being aware of it.