Who is the Pathogen?

On Friday, 27 March 2026, the UM Library hosted the launch of the “Who is the Pathogen?” mural, along with an accompanying exhibition documenting the creative process. The event featured speeches from Mr Kevin J. Ellul, Director of Library Services; Pro-Rector for Strategic Planning & Sustainability Prof. Valerie Sollars; artist Violeta Toncheva; and Rector Prof. Alfred Vella.

The mural was commissioned by the University as part of a transdisciplinary initiative led by LACES – Lab for Art, Communities, Ecology and Science, coordinated within the Faculty of Education. LACES blends visual art, scientific inquiry, ecological awareness, and community engagement, providing students and participants a collaborative platform for creativity, dialogue, and critical reflection.

The project drew inspiration from the worldwide call for a day of action to Remember Nature, launched in 2015 by artist and political activist Gustav Metzger, which appealed to professionals and students from diverse disciplines to create new work that responded to global issues, taking a stand against extinction, climate change and environmental pollution.

The objective of the LACES project was to bridge with University’s immediate context–namely the area outside the Old Gateway leading to the Msida Skatepark and Msida Circus–and to understand the impact of the different types of pollution on the social and recreational dimension where users live, study, shop, commute, play or practise their hobby.

A process of walking, observation, investigation, conversation, exchange and creative thinking asked:

Who is present in the area and who’s not?
What types of pollution are present in the area and what is triggering this?
How are the different needs of the diverse users and community members catered for or hindered?
How can a participatory transdisciplinary project raise awareness about these issues?

The project culminated in the creation of an artwork installed on the second-floor staircase wall at the Main Library, and part of the process work is documented through this exhibition.

This project was created by University of Malta students reading for Masters in Teaching and Learning in Art: Gabriella Borg, Kirsty Calleja, Neeve Cauchi, Emily Theresé Salnitro, Violeta Toncheva; Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Science for Education and Communication: Andria Bonello, Lee Sajan.

In collaboration with community members from Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta: Musawar Ahmad, Nauman Atif, Hassan Bashir, Faisal Mohammed Zakari; Asphalt Sirens: Faye Theuma; Skaters’ High: Peter Zammit.

Artist-mentor: Kristina Borg

LACES team: Dr Censu Caruana, Prof. Edward Duca, Prof. Raphael Vella

Library Services: Raelene Church, Ryan Scicluna

The UM Library would like to express its sincere thanks to APS Bank and the Rectorate for Strategic Planning and Sustainability for their financial support, as well as to the Estates, Facilities and Capital Development Directorate for their ongoing assistance. This initiative highlights a successful collaboration between art, science, and community engagement on Campus.