VC03 (2021/2022)
rajt ma rajtx ... naf li rajt
Critical Essay by Elyse Tonna for Matthew Attard's exhibition: rajt ma rajtx ... naf li rajt (2021). VC03 is a book showcasing the 2021 exhibition programme of Valletta Contemporary with contributions by various authors/curators
SURA (2021)
KIN, who we are and where we belong (EN) / sura ta' nies (MT)
A book for SURA (2021). Stories and Poems by Clare Azzopardi. Contributions by Elyse Tonna, Glen Calleja and Lori Sauer. Translations by Albert Gatt. Photos by Giola Cassar. Proof-Reading by Claire Zerafa. Designed by Brendon Gauci
fuse (2021): collection of research and process-based articles related to the thematics and interventions by Elyse Tonna
A book for fuse (2021). Written by Elyse Tonna. Photos by Elisa von Brockdorff, Maria Galea, Rakel Vella and Elyse Tonna. Edited by Ann Dingli. Designed by Elyse Tonna and the Valletta Cultural Agency. Produced by the Valletta Cultural Agency
30@20: Looking Back Looking Forward (2021): Celebrating 30 Years The Mill Art, Culture and Crafts Centre
From the Archives: A reflection. and The Mill Today: A conversation February 2021
A book for 30@20 project by the Gabriel Caruana Foundation. Contributions by Raffaella Zammit, Dr Nikki Petroni, Elyse Tonna. Designed by Mighty Box Ltd.
ħaġarna (2019)
what is 'ħaġarna'?
A book for ħaġarna (2019). Contributions by Elyse Tonna, Dr Irene Biolchini, Prof. Vicki Ann Cremona, Dr Sandro Debono, Dr Marko Stamenkovic and introductions by Hon. Dr Ian Borg, Hon. Dr Owen Bonnici, Hon. Dr Justyne Caruana, Hon. Dr Anton Refalo, Nicoline Sagona, Joe Cordina and Dr Christian Zammit. Designed by Elyse Tonna
Elyse Tonna is a curator, interdisciplinary architect and cultural manager based in Malta. Her curatorial practice focuses on contemporary art and bridges aspects related to offsites, living heritage, public space and communities. As an independent curator, she developed, produced and curated/co-curated rajt ma rajtx ... naf li rajt (2021), fuse (2021), SURA (2021), ħożż il-ħsejjes (2019), in between (2018) and Human Matter (2017), among others. She produced projects such as Constellation Malta (2018) and Baħħ Blu (2018), two major visual arts projects by the Valletta 2018 Foundation forming part of the official programme of the European Capital City of Culture 2018 (Valletta). Since 2020, she has been appointed the Curator and Co-Creative Director of the Gabriel Caruana Foundation where she curates ongoing exhibitions related to the SPRING programme for Emerging Artists and the Gabriel Caruana Foundation/The Mill Archives, among others.
Elyse acquired a Bachelor in Engineering and Architecture (2013) and a Master of Arts in Cultural Heritage Management (2021) from the University of Malta. For the MA, she developed a comparative study of contemporary art interventions on historic sites. She also attended various short courses such as Curating Contemporary Art and Design at the Royal College of Art (UK) and Socially-Engaged Artistic Practices at Node Centre for Curatorial Studies (DE).
Tonna is a Fellow of the Salzburg Global Forum (2017), an alumni of the Cultural Relations Platform (2021) and also represented Malta in the UNESCO European and International Youth Fora related to creativity and cultural heritage (2019).
Elyse is an Administrative Board Member of ACT and the Gabriel Caruana Foundation and a Board Member of Ambjent Malta. She is also the Co-Chairperson of the Visual Arts Sub-Committee of the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA). Between 2014-2019, Elyse was a Committee Member of the Malta Society of Arts and its Arts Advisory Board.
She is also greatly interested in cultural policy and strategy and environment-related initiatives.