Three award-winning Polish artists, Lia Kimura, Kinga Burek-Domżalska and Karolina Jarzębak, have completed a two-week artist residency in Malta and Gozo, held from October 13 to 26, as part of a collaboration between Luginsland of Art and the OmenaArt Foundation.
The residency followed the artists’ recognition in Poland’s 14th edition of the Compass of Young Art (Kompas Młodej Sztuki), a prestigious national ranking highlighting the most outstanding contemporary artists under 35.
Sponsored by the OmenaArt Foundation, the residency served as one of the key prizes for the top three winners, offering them the opportunity to immerse themselves in Malta’s artistic landscape and cultural heritage.
The artists engaged in a series of landmark site visits and workshops across both islands, exploring contemporary practices while connecting with local creatives.
An important part of their visit was Villa Luginsland, a historic neo-Renaissance landmark in Rabat that remains central to Luginsland’s artistic programmes and cultural vision. Built in 1887 by Baron Maximilian von Tucher, the villa is adorned with Giuseppe Calì frescoes and intricate terracotta details, a rare architectural treasure in Malta. After decades of neglect, the Grade I listed estate is now undergoing careful restoration under the leadership of philanthropist Omenaa Mensah and her OmenaArt Foundation.
Mensah’s vision is to transform the villa into Luginsland of Art, a vibrant centre for residencies, exhibitions and cross-disciplinary exchange. Having already participated in the Malta Art Biennale, the villa is emerging as a cultural hub where heritage and contemporary creativity meet, offering artists an inspiring space rooted in history yet alive with new possibilities.
Among other highlights was a hands-on workshop in collaboration with THISSCeramics, a creative studio dedicated to craftsmanship and the tactile process of making ceranucs. Guided by co-founder Matt, the artists experimented with slip-casting techniques, reimagining pre-formed shapes through texture and form.
In Gozo, they joined Gozitan established artist Victor Agius for a workshop inspired by the UNESCO World Heritage Ġgantija Temples, exploring prehistoric art, ritual and the use of organic materials. After visiting the site, the artists the artists worked with natural pigments, clay and sand, creating experimental pieces rooted in the earth at Agius’s Terrae Studios in Xagħra.
The residency concluded with a soft-ground etching workshop led by Justin Falzon, where the artists learned the intricate process of copper plate etching, from polishing to pulling final prints – a meditative practice balancing control and spontaneity.
Beyond the workshops, the artists also had time to explore Malta and Gozo, discovering the islands’ unique landscapes, architecture, and traditions, which inspired new directions in their creative practice and process.
Joanna Popiol, the director of LuginsLand of Art, said: “Cultural exchange lies at the heart of LuginsLand of Art’s mission. Welcoming Lia Kimura, Kinga Burek-Domżalska, and Karolina Jarzębak to Malta has been a pleasure. Malta’s layered history and Mediterranean openness offer an extraordinary platform for artists to connect and create. Through this residency, we’re deepening artistic dialogue between Poland and Malta while reaffirming the power of place. LuginsLand of Art aims to be a bridge, shaping a truly international cultural ecosystem rooted in mutual learning and respect.”
