The Malta Independent on Sunday
‘Malta 1971’ – A photographic exhibition by Uno Karlsson
Swedish photographer Uno Karlsson, and the photographs he captured of Malta, returns to the islands after an absence of over 50 years.
Born on the eve of Christmas 1940 in the midst of World War II, Uno grew up in the countryside. Early on, he had a longing for the great oceans and desired to become a sailor. At the tender age of 15, he was able to fulfil his dream. The sailor’s lot became a short but eventful part of his life.
After a class in photography in 1961, he discovered the camera as a tool to tell his stories. To document life became his passion. His camera and a roll of film; his entry ticket to encounter interesting people in different settings.
In 1962, he met his future wife, Marianne. Nine years later, they boarded a plane and travelled to Malta on holiday. They knew that Malta then was a relatively undiscovered tourist destination and that the Maltese were kind people who also spoke English. It all seemed very practical. Marianne bought sunscreen, Uno bought 20 rolls of Kodachrome slide, coloured film. They enjoyed 13 long days basking in the Mediterranean sun and many a late night washed away with food and wine. For Uno, this was also an opportunity for early morning strolls, camera in hand, photographing whatever attracted his eyes.
For 50 years, he had the idea that these photos should be exhibited in Malta. The feedback received, after his daughter Maria sent some photos he captured to a Maltese Facebook group in 2021, was enormous and the Malta Postal Museum offered him the opportunity to show his photos to the Maltese people.
Karlsson is an award-winning documentary photographer who has held a number of exhibitions and published several books. He captured his photos with a 35mm film camera and a wideangle lens and developed his film and printed his photographs in his darkroom.
‘Malta 1971’ is hosted by the Malta Postal Museum at 135, Archbishop Street, Valletta and runs until 3 June. Opening hours are from 10am till 4pm, Monday to Friday and 10am till 2pm on Saturday. Entrance to view the exhibition is free.