Maltese Craftsmen 2

Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with two angels

Today I introduce a friend of mine and prolific craftsman with his hands and his time. Chris Micallef started very young at his interest of forming statues with clay. Over the years he must have formed scores of statuettes, mostly saints and Holy Week characters which he also painted and set up in their environment with appropriate surroundings. His current exhibition is set up at his parents’ home and besides the replicas of the Good Friday statues, it includes a miniature church, complete with a main altar, 8 side altars and another set of even smaller Holy Week statues. 

Chris next to his miniature church

Chris works as a restorer at Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar, making sure this ornate palace is always at its very best for visitors and tourists to admire. He is also responsible for the upkeep of the old St Julian’s church which he decorates with friends according to the liturgical season, including an elaborate altar of repose set up for today Holy Thursday.

Statuettes of the Flogging and the 'Ecce Homo'

The Last Supper display