In Malta’s historic spaces, art and culture are often trapped in rigid repetition. Icons that once meant something have become decorative clichés, detached from the people they’re meant to represent. Our streetscapes have faded, our unique buses are gone, and constant development keeps erasing what makes the island truly ours.

The Gardjola watchtower in Senglea is one of those overused symbols. Its eye and ear once stood as a beacon for sailors, but now, it blends into the background. In this artwork, RAFiott reimagines the Gardjola in a surreal, playful light — stripping it of over-familiarity and restoring its emotional power. Through bold simplicity and warm Maltese tones, “Gardjola” reminds us that inspiration lives close to home.

This piece is part of the MeliTENSION Collection, RAFiott’s debut at MUŻA in Valletta. The series challenges the flattening of Maltese imagery, pushing back against visual repetition and reclaiming the richness of our cultural identity.

RAFiott’s art bridges contemporary style with local tradition, offering a renewed perspective that resonates with both residents and visitors. His portfolio invites you to look again—at Malta, at memory, and at the icons we think we know.