Within art and art history circles, both locally and overseas, Charlene Vella is blazing her own trail. From becoming the first female to be promoted to Associate Professor in Art History at the University of Malta, to presenting at major conferences and curating prolific art exhibitions, her career is as multi-faceted as her interests; tied together by one thing: passion, “or what [modern artist] Alfred Chircop used to call the ‘fire in the belly’.”
“I live a full life, both academically and socially with my family. Balancing research, teaching, curating, and travel with raising two boys and nurturing a rich personal life is no small feat, but it brings me immense joy and perspective,” says Charlene.
“I do not take any of it for granted. Every opportunity, every collaboration, and every milestone is something I value deeply. I’m aware of the privilege of doing work that I love, and I try to honour that through commitment, generosity, and gratitude.”
An early connection to the arts
In this interview with Design Dispatch, Charlene shares how her earliest encounters with art didn’t happen through museum visits, but through music-filled weekends at her grandfather’s home.
“His brother, Mons. Mosè Debono, had a study lined with books on Renaissance art and adorned with large posters of the Stanze Vaticane: images that stirred my early fascination. From a young age, my mother nurtured in us a love of culture and family trips abroad always included museum visits,” says Charlene.
Fast forward a few years, and Charlene naturally pursued her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Art History at the University of Malta, with many of her mentors eventually becoming colleagues, followed by her doctoral years at the University of Warwick.
“Warwick’s base in Venice allowed me to conduct research in some of the world’s most important archives while living in a city that breathes art. Spending days alone in museums, walking endlessly, and bonding with fellow researchers made those four years deeply formative.”
‘The journey has been rewarding’
In recent years, she presented a talk at the Renaissance Society of America in Puerto Rico (2023), which was attended by American actor (RoboCop himself) Dr Peter Weller, who also holds a PhD in Italian Renaissance Art from UCLA.
Alongside her promotion to Associate Professor, Charlene also became the first female full-time lecturer in Art History at University.
“In short, it hasn’t always been easy, especially when I had my children, but the journey has been rewarding and has shaped me as both an academic and a woman, with the constant support of those closest to me,” she shares, singling out the publication of two monographs and the feedback she receives from young students as memorable highlights.
“Most recently, during the final-year Fine Arts thesis presentations — an all-female cohort — one student told me how empowering it was to see a ‘boss lady’ thriving in the art world. Knowing I can serve as a role model for young women entering this field is one of the greatest privileges of my career.”
Working with artists
Alongside her academic work, Charlene also curates several exhibitions each year, working with artists and professionals ranging from emerging talents to prominent names in local and international circles.
She has been spearheading monthly exhibitions at Phoenicia Malta for a few years, while organising other solo and collective exhibitions throughout the year.
“Curating is about much more than selecting artworks; it also involves project management, visual strategy, public engagement, and even logistical problem-solving. One of the most fulfilling parts of the monthly exhibitions I set up is standing before a set of bare walls and envisioning how a show will come together,” says Charlene.
An exhibition held last year which she curated, celebrating the life and art of Alfred Chircop (1933–2015) – Charlene is one of the Trustees of the Trust that he set up together with his wife – stands out as particularly special to her.
“I’ve had the honour of working with many of Malta’s leading artists, but Alfred has a special place in my heart. He was a pioneer of abstract art. I even catalogued much of his collection with his input before he passed. The conversations we had about art, life, memory, even mathematics remain with me and continue to inform how I think about art. He is followed closely by Kenneth Zammit Tabona.”
A season of reflection
In a few weeks, Charlene will be presenting a first-ever retrospective exhibition of the work of eminent portrait photographer of global fame, Lorenzo Agius, titled LOOK AT ME: Framing the Iconic, opening on 12th September at Spazju Kreattiv. “Working with Lorenzo has been a joy; he is both internationally renowned and disarmingly down-to-earth.”
After this, she will be taking a year-and-a-half long research sabbatical “to focus on writing, publishing, and long-overdue reflection” – including publishing the updated edition of her book The Art and Architecture of Late Medieval Malta, 1091–1530, presenting papers at two conferences before year’s end, as well as public outreach through cultural tours to Sicily and Normandy focused on Norman art and architecture.
“It’s shaping up to be a very full, gratifying season of life.”
Photography courtesy of Charlene Vella
