A provocative new art exhibition opened today at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, challenging visitors with its raw and confrontational approach to contemporary art. 'Antler Cry,' featuring works by Maltese artist Anthony Catania, runs through January 11, 2026, and draws its inspiration from the ancient Greek myth of Actaeon, the hunter who was punished for witnessing something forbidden.
Unlike exhibitions that gently welcome visitors, 'Antler Cry' takes an aggressive stance that confronts viewers head-on. Catania uses the myth of Actaeon not as a simple retelling, but as a lens to explore what happens when observation crosses into transgression and when truth reveals itself with violent intensity. The exhibition poses uncomfortable questions about the consequences of looking too closely at things we perhaps shouldn't see.
The artist's canvases are characterized by violent brushstrokes, dark colors, and rough textures that create an atmosphere far removed from polite or decorative art. Each piece functions as a psychological excavation, serving as a stark reminder that beneath Malta's polished exterior lies tension and conflict that society rarely acknowledges. The works feel deliberately unsettling, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable realities.
Catania's Maltese heritage flows throughout the exhibition, with the island's inherent contradictions serving as a driving force behind his distorted figures. The contrast between Malta's sunlit calm and baroque splendor against centuries of conflict, as well as the collision between sacred and everyday life, animates his artistic vision. While visitors can detect the influence of Francis Bacon in Catania's work, the weight, heat, and gravity of Malta remain unmistakably present.
The exhibition journey begins deceptively quietly with 'Whispers in the Ashen Thicket,' featuring a dog drinking from a still pool in a scene suspended in uneasy silence. However, this calm is quickly shattered as visitors progress through the show. The centerpiece of the exhibition is 'Antlered Transfiguration Under Death's Gaze,' a towering and chaotic collision of color and motion that depicts a man transforming into a stag amid a raging storm.
Through his work, Catania delivers a powerful reminder that beauty is not always kind and truth does not always provide comfort. In an era dominated by quick-scroll digital images, 'Antler Cry' forces viewers to stop, pay attention, and engage in genuine reflection and emotional response. The exhibition demands sustained attention rather than passive consumption.
The showcase is being held at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta and will remain open daily from 9am to 5pm, with closures on December 19th, 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st, 2026. Dr. Jean Pierre Magro serves as the exhibition's curator. Admission is completely free, making the powerful artistic experience accessible to all visitors who wish to engage with Catania's challenging work firsthand.
Special programming accompanies the exhibition, with guided tours and 'Meet the Artist' sessions scheduled for December 6th and 13th, as well as January 7th, all beginning at 11am. These sessions will provide visitors with deeper insights into Catania's artistic process and the themes explored in 'Antler Cry.'
