Honouring Mark Mallia’s legacy with the SiGMA Foundation

Some lives are vivid, painted in bold strokes and colours that leave an indelible mark on those they touch. For renowned Maltese artist, Mark Mallia (1965-2024),?art wasn’t just something he created; it was something he lived. But beyond the artist, he was a philanthropist. His heart beat in time with the SiGMA Foundation’s mission. This foundation is a great way to remember how much he cared about helping people. Through the memories of his friend and creative partner, Etienne Farrell , Mark’s story unfolds with laughter, tears, and an unmistakable sense of pride.

The man behind the art with a heart of gold

“The person was the artist and vice versa,” Etienne begins, her eyes brightening with a mix of amusement and affection. She laughs, shaking her head. “Mark could be very flamboyant at times, and he loved to show-off.” But behind the performance, there was a deeply empathetic man. “He used to feel a lot. Not that he didn’t care. It was that he portrayed this image. I am sure that it was to protect himself. But on the inside, he was just a marshmallow.”

One of their last collaborations on the Sliema front, where they set up two enormous tables next to each other, brings a smile to her face. “One was on the inside of the pavement and one on the outside,” she explains. “He said, ‘choose whichever one you want.’ I told him, ‘With you being the show-off, you’re gonna be the closest to the people as possible.’ And there he was, with his blower and torch, everything in flames, showing off, really happy.”

Etienne recalls Mark’s generosity and involvement with various causes. “He worked a lot with Dar Bjorn , for example.” Etienne recounts how she has found it hard to carry on with the exhibitions and projects they were planning, with one exception. “We were planning to exhibit with proceeds going to Kate, a Maltese five-year-old girl, who suffers from Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome, an extremely rare condition. There are around 250 people around the globe who have her condition. That is the only exhibition that I kept…. We have this exhibition for Kate in December.”

While he often portrayed a tough exterior, those who truly knew him understood that his heart was vast and giving. For a moment, her smile fades. “People thought he didn’t care, but it was totally the opposite. He’d just put up this wall, you know.” Her voice catches, and the smile returns. “Mark was very empathetic and cried because things happened, even to his friends. He used to feel a lot.” Mark’s generosity knew no bounds. He welcomed homeless people into his home, offering them food, clothes, money, and even cared for the stray cats outside...[Read More ]