Biography
Johanna Barthet is a Maltese artist known for her emotionally evocative and intimate paintings. From an early age, she showed a strong passion for creativity and studied art under Ms Margaret Chircop at the Convent of the Sacred Heart School in St Julian’s, Malta.
She later refined her artistic practice through courses under the guidance of Olaug Vethal, Harry Alden, Anthony Calleja, Anton Grech, and Austin Camilleri.
Her work reflects deep personal exploration, often focusing on themes of identity, vulnerability, and the complexities of the human experience. Her recent works move into the expressionist realm, including oil pastel landscapes, seascapes, and still lifes that demonstrate her evolving visual language.
Barthet’s signature pieces are predominantly figurative, particularly centred on female subjects, offering raw emotional insight into their inner worlds. Her work is celebrated for its bold brushwork and sensitive use of colour, conveying depth and vulnerability.
Selected Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2019 – Stories Untold – Palazzo Depiro, Mdina
2021 – Dreamscapes – Desko, Valletta
2022 – The Little Room Upstairs – Il-Kamra Ta’ Fuq, Mqabba
2023 – Now You See Me – Studio 87, Valletta
2024 – Coming Home to Me – Camilleri Paris Mode, Rabat
Group & Collective Exhibitions
2018 – Collective Visions – Malta Society of Arts
2020 – Young Contemporaries – Valletta Contemporary
2022 – Figurative Now – Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta
2023 – Women in Art – Il-Hagar Museum, Victoria
2024 – Summer Group Show – Art Sweven, Sliema
Critical Acclaim
— Joseph Agius, The Times of Malta (2019)
“An artist whose brush unveils the enigmatic self and collective unconscious.”
— PROF. LOUIS LAGANA’, UNIVERSITy of malta (2023)
Artistic Experience
Self-employed Artist & Teacher (2010 – Present)
Teaching art and art appreciation to adults and children (5-15 years)
Workshops in drawing, painting, and creative exploration.