With a list of portrait subjects to his name that reads like a dizzying directory of famous faces from the entertainment industry, Lorenzo Agius is an undisputed force in international photography circles, and is now in the throes of hosting his first exhibition in Malta.
In 1995, when he was still starting out, Lorenzo – born to Maltese parents in the UK – took on an assignment that would send his career soaring to new heights.
He was commissioned to create the film poster for Trainspotting, a black comedy drama released in 1996 with Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle, which he approached from a fashion-portrait perspective. He shot his subjects in a gritty, black-and-white style, creating significant cultural impact at the time.
Since then, Lorenzo has had countless celebrities stand before his camera – from Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Ralph Fiennes and Tilda Swinton to Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Margot Robbie, Jack Nicholson and plenty more, and a number of his photographs are on permanent display at London’s National Portrait Gallery.
“With his highly considered approach to photography, Lorenzo consistently produces a diverse, humorous and highly refined range of work,” says Prof Charlene Vella, curator of the upcoming exhibition.
“He has become known as one of the preeminent portrait photographers of his generation and continues to work in conjunction with numerous commercial, film and editorial clients around the world”
Exploring his roots
Born and raised in the UK, Lorenzo – whose studies focused on Fine Arts – has a tenuous connection with the birthplace of his parents. He visited Malta as a child but only has distant memories of his time here.
Through his first exhibition on these shores, Lorenzo is looking to learn more about his origins and reconnect with his heritage, while presenting the Maltese public and international audiences who visit Valletta with his work.
The display, which is being designed in collaboration with Chris Mather, founder of visitor design consultancy Mather & Co, will go beyond his photographs of stars alone and feature interactive installations that explain Lorenzo’s story, including his earliest successes working on Trainspotting.
“His career spans almost 30 years,” says Prof Vella. “This exhibition will be a celebration of Lorenzo, of portrait photography, of his career, and of the film industry that Malta is now very much part of.”
The exhibition will be held between September and November 2025 at the Upper Galleries of Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta.
