Julian “Julinu” Mallia is an award-winning, multidisciplinary Maltese visual artist specialising in concept-driven work. He juggles his practice between visual art and drumming – hinting at his unconventional approach to creative expression.
Julian’s most representative visual work is typically idea-driven, characterised by atmospheric and surreal imagery and occasionally laced with dry humour. Originally a psychology graduate he now combines a range of skills to create thought-provoking imagery within traditional fine-art and digital illustration (album covers / book covers (publishing) / advertising / animation / editorial) contexts.
Notable recognition includes having been awarded at the coveted AOI World Illustration Awards (UK) in 2016, recognition as “Artist of the Year” (L-Artist tas-Sena) in the 2020 edition of the Malta Arts Awards (Il-Premju ghall-Arti) and inclusion in “The Power and Influence of Illustration”, a book by reputed author and illustrator Prof Alan Male about the persuasive power of illustration – alongside numerous international heavyweights (published by Bloomsbury UK in 2019).
Being keen on drumming (with Maltese established metal band Weeping Silence and occasionally other side projects in the Progressive Metal, Funk-rock, Post Metal whereabouts) Julian is also intrigued by the overlap between visual and rhythmic idea generation.
Currently based in Malta.
CONTACT
If you’re interested in making use of my services or would like to purchase an original painting or a print, feel free to say hi on info@julinu.com.
Original Paintings : Ask artist or check website for availability
Prints: Available here
Selected Recognition:
• Awarded at the AOI World Illustration Awards 2016 (Advertising – New Talent) for the entry “Maia’s Morning Malaise”;
• Awarded “Artist of the Year” (Artist tas-Sena) in the 2020 edition of il-Premju għall-Arti (Malta Arts Award). Il-Premju għall-Arti is an initiative of Arts Council Malta under the patronage of his excellency President Dr George Vella, through the National Fund for Artistic Excellence within the Ministry for Local Heritage, Arts and Local Government;
• Longlisted at the AOI World Illustration Awards 2023 for the entry “The Cost of Lies”;
• Shortlisted at the AOI World Illustration Awards 2021 for the entry “White Lies, Black Truths”;
• Shortlisted at the AOI World Illustration Awards 2017 for the entry “La Belle Dame sans Merci”;
• Shortlisted at the AOI World Illustration Awards 2015 for the entry “The Plight of the Homeless Orca”;
• Honourable Mention at the 58th annual “Illustration West” Exhibition (US) – the annual show by The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles in 2020;
• Honourable Mention at the “3×3 Magazine (US) – Professional Show 2019″ for the entry “Spatio-Temporal Statistics with R” – Book Cover Category;
• Honourable Mention at the “3×3 Magazine (US) – Professional Show 2019″ for the entry “Storytelling Cards” – Editorial Category;
• Featured in “The Power and Influence of Illustration” a book about contemporary illustration published by Bloomsbury UK in 2019;
• Selected by the European Commission and the Maltese authorities to be the Maltese Ambassador for VET (Vocational Education & Training) during the 2019 European Vocational Skills Week (EVSW) held in Helsinki, Finland;
• Shortlisted to join the oil-painting-animation team on the first full-feature, oil-painting animation (and Oscar nominated) “Loving Vincent” in 2016 at BreakThru Studios in Gdansk, Poland.
Education:
• M.A. Sequential Design / Illustration (University of Brighton, UK: 2015);
• B.A. Graphic Design and Interactive Media (Hons.) (MCAST Institute of Art and Design in collaboration with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Malta: 2010);
• Oil painting (scholarship course at Lorenzo de Medici Art Institute, Florence, Italy: 2007);
• B. Psychology (Hons.) (University of Malta, Malta: 2006).
Selected Solo / Collective Exhibitions:
“Illustration West 58” – Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art Gallery (LAAFA) – Los Angeles, California, US – February 2020;
“Julinu’s Radioactive Ravioli” – Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta – May 2019;
“AOI World Illustration Awards 2016” – Seoul, South Korea, Illustration Fair – July 2017;
“AOI World Illustration Awards 2016” – Aberystwyth Arts Center, Aberystwyth, UK – May 2017;
“AOI World Illustration Awards 2016” – Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk, UK – March 2017;
“AOI World Illustration Awards 2016” – Roe Valley Arts, Limvady, Northern Ireland – February 2017;
“AOI World Illustration Awards 2016” – UWTSD, Swansea, UK – December 2016;
“AOI World Illustration Awards 2016” – Somerset House, London, UK – August 2016;
“Brighton MA 2015” – University of Brighton, Brighton, UK – September 2015;
“Divergent Thinkers” – Dar Malta, Brussels, Belgium – October 2014;
“Divergent Thinkers 3” – VIVA Valletta International Visual Arts Festival – Blitz, Valletta, Malta – August 2014;
“Streets of Valletta 2013 Calendar” – Creative Island – Transcripta Multilingual Translations, Valletta, Malta – December 2012;
“Une Femme Effervescente” – M/S Hulda, Valletta (Hulda Festival), Malta – September 2012;
“Sulluzzu” – Installation – Malta Design Week, Old University Building, Valletta, Malta – October 2011;
“Strada Stretta Exhibition” – Interactive Installation – Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit – Splendid Guesthouse, Strait Street, Valletta, Malta – April 2011;
“The Art of Silence” – Front Kontra ċ-Ċensura – Gallery Liberty, Valletta, Malta – November 2010;
“DESIGNATION” – MCAST – St.James’ Cavalier, Valletta, Malta – July 2010;
“MCAST Institute of Art and Design Exhibition” – MCAST – St.James’ Cavalier, Valletta, Malta – July 2009;
“MCAST Institute of Art and Design Exhibition” – MCAST – St.James’ Cavalier, Valletta, Malta – July 2007;
“The Go Mobile ‘Share Your Flair Young Artists’ Competition” – GO – St. James’ Cavalier, Valletta, Malta – December 2006;
“Memento Mori” – Scaremongering Art Collective – uninhabited house in Valletta, Malta – November 2006;
“The Big Bang” – Wicked Comics – St. James’ Cavalier, Valletta, Malta – March 2006;
“stART” – KSU – Valletta Waterfront, Valletta, Malta – November 2005;
“Strangers” – Scaremongering Art Collective – St. James’ Cavalier, Valletta, Malta – September 2005;
“Merely a Stain” – Scaremongering Art Collective – ex-Bar Karoo (now MonaLiza), Valletta, Malta – June/July 2004;
“This is Really Happening” – Scaremongering Art Collective – University of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Malta – December 2003.
