A Maltese artist’s world of light and shadow

In the 11th article in a series on 20th-century artists who shaped Maltese modernism, Joseph Agius discusses the life, career and times of Willie Apap. Willie Apap (1918-1970) occupies a prominent place in the development of Maltese 20th-century art although his decision to set up his studio in Rome after World War II meant that he was away from the island for long periods. [attach id=885636 size="medium" align="right" type="image"]The Descent from the Cross[/attach] Unlike Giorgio Preca, who moved to Rome at approximately the same time, Apap was not actively involved in any of the artist groups of the 1950s. These two factors sometimes mitigate the value of his contribution to the development of Maltese modernism. However, his frequent trips to Malta nurtured meaningful friendships with his artist colleagues and cross-fertilisation of concepts. Apap studied at the Malta School of Art under the watchful eye of the Caruana Dingli brothers. His older brother, Vincent Apap (1909-2003), one of Malta’s foremost 20th-century sculptors, used to keep his more exuberant brother in check. He influenced his young sibling to embrace a more classical-based aesthetic. Willie Apap, together…

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