Maltese artist Etienne Farrell has publicly expressed her heartbreak after discovering that some of her artwork was stolen and damaged at the Hilton Malta during the Għajnejk f’Għajni display.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Ms Farrell addressed those responsible, highlighting the emotional and physical labour she poured into creating her work.
“To those who tore and stole my work from the Hilton Malta Għajnejk f’Għajni display. I honestly hope that the hours I spent working on what you damaged and stole will bring you hours of joy wearing and enjoying them,” she wrote.
Ms Farrell’s work is known for capturing fleeting, intimate moments of life, revealing deeper human connections that often go unnoticed. Using various media, she encourages audience engagement, making each piece a collaborative experience between artist and observer.
She also expressed regret for the customers who had reserved the stolen and damaged pieces, saying, “I am very sorry. I was so glad that you were going to be their owners. It wasn’t meant to be.”
Despite the distressing incident, Ms Farrell shared a silver lining from her exhibition experience. She recounted how a visitor, after inquiring about her favourite piece, purchased it and then gifted it back to her, explaining that “an artist deserves to keep their most special piece.”
This incident sheds light on the vulnerability of artists displaying their work in public spaces, as well as the challenges they face in valuing their creations appropriately.
Ms Farrell’s words also underline the difficulties independent artists endure in pricing their work fairly, with her statement that “the prices did not match the hours of labour and love I invested in it.”
While she did not indicate whether she would be pursuing any formal action, she extended a compassionate message to those responsible, remarking, “I am so sorry that you could not afford to purchase my work, even though the prices did not match the hours of labour and love I invested in it. Please do reach out if you need help.”
