COVER ILLUSTRATION ‘THE CITY IS PRETTY AND SO ARE YOU’ INSTALLED AROUND THE BOARDS OF THE NEW PARLIAMENT
showcases life in Valletta from two perspectives, the first being of the city rooted in reality, history and tradition and the second, cheeky and humorous, inspired by my imagination. Each illustration combines both perspectives truth and perception - hence the title: Two Heads and a City. The exhibition is intended to highlight that which forms our unique identity as Maltese inspite of the increasing assimilation of other influences brought on by the Europeanisation and globalisation of cultures and nations as communities become less isolated and more visible to each other.  Valletta is a city that is very much alive and that changes character depending on the time of day as the tide of people into and out of the city ebbs and flows. twoheadsandacity.comÂ
BIO Nadine Noko is an illustrator, designer and art director, currently based in Malta, who works under the studio name MadeByNoko, which she founded in 2011. She produces work for a wide range of clients across the fashion, art, culture, publishing and advertising field. Her work is bold, minimalistic and combines illustration and typography with a keen eye for detail. When not producing commercial work for clients Noko can be found in the studio working on her limited edition prints & discussing first world problems with her dog/business partner Bonnie. Brought up on a high dosage of Japanese Anime & British comics, The Beano & The Dandy she creates images which are in turn quirky, humorous with a healthy dose of pop culture.
EARLY MORNING
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
was inspired by all the people walking into Valletta, first thing in the morning. If you stand next to City Gate you will see a flow of people walking with the same rhythm. Students waiting for their friends near the fountain, pigeons flying into the city like they're late for work and teddy bear mascots greeting you into the city.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
KEMM AHNA SBIEH MIN JAF JARANA
apart from all the people walking into the city for work, early in the morning the city is invaded by delivery men, including a particular gas man. He delivers all around Valletta, completely toned and full of tattoos and rarely wears a t-shirt.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
BEFORE YOUR COFFEE
is an illustration of the church of St. Francis of Assisi, in Republic Street. Before work a lot of Maltese pop in to say a prayer. I'm not a religious person but this is one of my favourite churches on the island. It's a very spiritual place.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
GEMGEM
as you walk into Valletta through Republic Street on your left hand side, there is the 'Church of St.Barbara'. On its steps you will always find the same old men, sitting, complaining and gossiping on passers-by, hence the title GEMGEM.
MADAM, DO YOU WANNA RIDE MY HORSE ?
the Marsamxett area is full of horse-cabs, who holler with their broken English at tourists passing by. I remember walking next to Miceli Store, in Marsamxett Road & this horse cab driver shouted "Madam, do you wanna ride my horse?". I found it hilarious.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 59.4 X 42 CM, 2013
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 42 X 59.4 CM, 2013
YES, SIR
lotto and gambling is very popular in Malta, especially in Valletta. You will find a lotto office every couple of square meters. This piece, is based on the lotto box at the King's own band club, in Republic street.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 42 X 59.4 CM, 2013
SHIRTS CAN FLY
Cost. Borg is a shop in Republic Street. It's one of the oldest shops in Valletta. I remember my mum buying shirts for my dad in the 80's and was always fascinated by the way they displayed their shirts in the shop window. They hung the shirts with transparent wire making the shirts look like they were flying in mid-air and they still use this method.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
ALADDIN IN THE CITY
Valletta is full of old signs and beautiful typography. A particular sign caught my eye near the open market on the corner of Merchant Street and St. Lucy Street called "Aladdin, heating, lighting". I thought it fit perfectly with the open market.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
EGG MAYO
is an illustration of one of the most iconic cafĂŠs in Valletta. Its interior design has remained unchanged. I remember going there with my parents after buying my school books from Agius & Agius bookshop. I still go there and I always have an egg mayonnaise sandwich, the best egg mayonnaise sandwich in the city. The staff is still the same, captured below in the cut-out.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 59.4 X 42 CM, 2013
FAMILY BUSINESS
is based on a funeral parlour run by a family over generations, probably one of the oldest funeral parlours in Malta, known as Barrabba. The whole family spends all their time in this garage, waiting for someone to die. While they watch television their grandchildren do their homework and sip their coffee in a glass. They also offer you a taxi service.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 42 X 59.4 CM, 2013
all over Valletta you will find stuck on shop walls or in corners of the streets little postcards that look like bookmarks. They portray dead people with a saint hovering over them with a little prayer for family and friends to keep as a memory of their lost ones. The title 'Kultant Nahlef Li Narak Ghaddej' means sometimes I swear I see you passing by.
KULTANT NAHLEF LI NARAK GHADDEJ
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SWIMMING WITH THE LIONS
in Marsamxett you will find the Valletta Waterpolo pitch. A lion statue is at the center of the pitch. Many Valletta residents are familiar with it and have often spent time sun-bathing there or jumping into the sea from it.
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CHAMPS
football is almost a religion in Valletta.
TAC-CINTURA
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is a religious community of mostly Valletta women from the Marsamxett neighbourhood. They move from square to square with a green van, boom box and all. They set-up at each square, put the ‘Madonna tac Cintura’ statue in the middle and recite the rosary.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
JAMES DEAN TA’CITY
he represents the younger generation of Valletta that live on the outskirts of the city. The influence of American pop culture is quite evident. They hang around in the squares, bars, cars & bus-stops.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
CITY SOUNDS
In summer, on Friday nights, you can easily come across a jazz night in the St Barbara bastions area. There are also a number of renowned musicians like Charles "City" Gatt and ‌.. and so many others.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
CITY TIME
A lot of paintings have been done on St. John's Cathedral. What I find fascinating, is the contrast between the austere facade and the rich interiors. The clocks are the focal point of this austere facade.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SPOT
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is Gunpost Bar and Restaurant which can be found at the corner of Marsamxett Road. It served during the war and is now a restaurant. I hold many good memories of time spent with friends enjoying the best chips in the city, especially with a little bit of vinegar added.
ARCHIVAL PRINT - EDITION 1 + AP 100 X 100 CM, 2013
TEATRU RJAL
this is the controversial open theatre designed by Renzo Piano. I love the design and this perspective is from the performers’ angle.
THE BOX
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another favourite Valletta spot of mine is the Manoel theatre. This is one of the patrons that usually inhabits the boxes.