Maltese multidisciplinary artist Ryan Falzon will be showcasing his latest body of work, Arcana, at the Young Art Hunters Gallery in Milan from 24th October 2025.

Curated by François Zammit, the three-week exhibition will feature 17 oil paintings exploring Mediterranean symbolism, spirituality, and contemporary iconography.

Mr Falzon, known for his politically charged and bold visual style, delves once again into the intersection between the sacred and the profane – a theme that has defined much of his artistic career. Arcana continues this exploration through what curator Mr Zammit describes as “a striking juxtaposition that reflects the contemporary spirit of the region.”

Ryan Falzon in his studio 

Symbolism and the digital age

The works presented in Arcana combine religious and esoteric motifs with distinctly modern references, from tarot cards and talismans to emojis and car accessories like furry dice and horseshoes.

Mr Falzon’s approach reinterprets these symbols as a dialogue between ancient mysticism and the language of digital communication.

Author Omar N’Shea, writing in the exhibition catalogue, says: “In monumentalising these objects – snakes, eyes, dice, peppers, words… Mr Falzon forces us to recognise them as our own. They are neither quaint superstitions, nor relics of folklore, but living hieroglyphs, marks of how we negotiate uncertainty today.”

A digital viewing room will also be available online, allowing viewers to explore the works online after the exhibition’s close.

About the artist

Born in 1988, Ryan Falzon is a graduate of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology and the University of Malta, he works across painting, printmaking, and writing.

In addition to his visual practice, Mr Falzon teaches art at St Edward’s College and is the author of Sajf (2022), which earned him the Best Emergent Author Award at the 2024 National Book Prize.