the spaces between us
"the spaces between us" began in 2021, when I met someone who shared stories of their childhood in a housing estate with their grandparents. At the time, I did not think much of it as my photography was still just beginning.
Q: Did your childhood help in being able to raise a family within this housing apartment?
“My childhood taught me strength. At 16, I worked to help my siblings, for example, buying them shoes with the little money I earned. When I became a parent, I knew how to sacrifice, because I had already learned from my own upbringing. We were never spoiled, but we always had what was necessary. That made me who I am today.”
The Block
These are the most common and modern types of housing blocks present in Malta. Three to four floors of living space.
Q: How did you manage to make due with what you had?
“When you go through certain experiences, you learn to manage on your own. I would often say to myself: I have this amount of money, and I need to make do with it. So I tried not to spend more than I should, always setting money aside for rent, food for the children, and school expenses. My priority was to keep everything clean, tidy, and in order. I never looked for fancy things, only what was truly needed.”
By 2024, my interest in Soviet-era Khrushchyovka housing drew me back to those stories. These post-war blocks, built to give people affordable homes, made me realise how Malta’s estates had similar roots. In the 1970s, under Dom Mintoff, the Housing Authority transformed former military barracks in Mtarfa and Pembroke into residences and built new estates in Marsa, Santa Luċija, and beyond. What began as a promise of security later carried the weight of neglect and stigma.
Q: Do you think housing has been the key to your survival?
“I have four children, two boys and two girls. Thanks to housing, we managed. Before that, we lived in a single room: two children slept with me, the baby stayed in the pram at first, later in a cot. Sometimes I had to swap them around, one in the pram, one in the cot, another in our bed. We managed with what we had, but without money to buy what was needed, life was very hard.”
The Old Barracks
The British barracks were transformed into housing estates by the Housing Authority after Malta gained its independence.
Q: Any struggles and how did you manage?
“I started working part-time so I could still care for my family. With the little income I earned, we slowly managed to get back on our feet. When my husband wasn’t working, things were very difficult, but bit by bit we pulled through.”
Holy Mary of Hanging Clothing
This is a very common scene within housing estates. Religious shrines, air conditioning units, and hanging clothes. A hint at the daily routines of people and their unwavering faith.
Q: Did anyone help you back then?
“I never had much help from anyone, but as neighbors we supported each other. If someone was sick, we offered to take each other’s children to school. Still, my children only wanted me to take them, they would cry for their mum. When my children were small, neighbours would also send shopping lists in a bag, and I would buy the groceries and leave the bag hanging from their doorknob.”
This realisation pushed me to apply for the Arts Council’s Artivisti Scheme, which combines art with activism. I was selected, and with support from Patrick J. Fenech, Arts Council Malta, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Spazju Kreattiv, ILAB Photo, and the encouragement of friends and my girlfriend, the project became reality.
The work documents everyday details in Malta’s housing estates such as balconies lined with laundry, religious icons in stairwells, walls marked by time, and small acts of resilience like gardening and caring for animals. I also recorded an interview with an elderly woman inside her home, which added layers of history and intimacy to the photographs.
Q: Has faith helped you?
“I do get angry sometimes, but even after a full day at work I always thank Jesus: Thank you, Jesus, for the day you’ve given me, because now with the money I earned I can pay the bills. With God’s strength, I managed to keep going. Even rent was always a priority. I also taught my children to begin their day with gratitude, to say thanks in the morning.”
Within the Spaces
I had the opportunity to document one of the residents within a housing block through a set of photographs and an audio interview. The audio recordings on this page are all from the interview.
Q: I presume you had to give up many things you wished to do, is that right?
“Back then, there were no trips, no holidays, not even to Gozo. Only recently, once the children grew up, I started to travel from time to time, when I could afford it.”
Backyard Alleyways
Some housing communities have backyards and gardens through small alleyways between a block and another. These offer a glimpse to the people inside and are visually appealing.
Q: What message do you have for people out there?
“Love, respect, and forgiveness. When you respect, you also love. And forgiveness is necessary, you cannot take every word to heart or hold grudges. Even in marriage there are problems, but if you don’t hold on to anger, things pass and life continues. I often pray: God, keep my family united. That’s what matters most to me.”
Resting Cat
Cats dominate these communities in abundance. The reason why so many cats I think is because The people take care of them with food and shelter plus these areas are usually very quiet.
Q: Outsiders often judge and stigmatize people of housing estates, what are your thoughts on this?
“You cannot judge. For example, when I hear someone speaking badly about others, I remind myself: everyone has their own struggles. I have mine. Some problems are visible, others are hidden. Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.”
For me, "the spaces between us" is not only about documenting neglect or hardship. It is about care, memory, and dignity. It is my way of honouring the lives within these communities and recognising how resilience continues to grow in places often overlooked.
Q: Outsiders often judge and stigmatize people of housing estates, what are your thoughts on this?
“Nobody should judge anyone. As God said: Whoever points a finger at another should first point it at themselves.”
