The Minister for Gozo, Anton Refalo has inaugurated the latest mosaic work by Gozitan artist Mary Portelli, in the port of Mgarr – Qawsalla Fjuri – is a metre long, worked in glass and ceramic and represents a rainbow of flowers emerging from a sea snail – Murex trunculus.

The Murex trunculus sea snail is common in the Mediterranean Sea and is important historically, as it was once used by the ancient Phoenicians as a distinctive purple-blue indigo dye for garments.The Minister congratulated Mary Portelli on her beautiful art work. He said that this is another initiative of the Ministry for Gozo within the – Public Art in Gozo scheme – the aim of which, "is to further embellish and improve Gozo's quality tourism product, while rendering the island a more interesting and quality destination."

Dr Refalo explained that the culture, heritage and identity of the island need to be protected. "Creativity is the foundation for the development and maturity of every culture. The aim is that through the cultural offering of the island, it will provide a quality experience for Gozitans, Maltese and tourists."

Photographs: MGOZ/George Scerri

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