Local artist Mark Mallia has passed away at the age of 59.

The announcement was made by a number of his friends and family members on social media on Tuesday (today).

The self-taught artist was renowned for his abstract and portrait paintings, incorporating a mix of media and ceramic sculptures.

He had a number of major solo exhibitions in Malta, together with collaborative ones in the UK at the Royal Windsor Racecourse, in Miami (US) at Art Basel, as well as in Monaco at the Sporting Club.

Mr Mallia’s works also include a collaboration with Maltese computer scientist Angelo Dalli, focusing on exploring the new space between art and artificial intelligence (AI), teaching AI the concepts of creativity of visual expression.

Over the years, Mr Mallia also raised a significant amount of funds and awareness about ALS locally.

“You left me heartbroken brother. I miss you so much. Thank you for being next to me every time I needed you,” one of his friends posted.

Another recalled how Mr Mallia was “direct, brusque, and highly outspoken,” yet had a “genuine voice that echoed people’s sentiment.”

“Dear Mark, you will truly be missed by all of us, but your art will live on,” another one of his friends said.

Social image: Some of Mark Mallia's works being displayed / Facebook