Academic, author, illustrator and cartoonist Ġorġ Mallia has died at the age of 68, leaving behind a wide-ranging body of work that touched education, publishing, children’s literature and the visual arts.
Mallia was a longstanding member of the University of Malta community, where he served as head of the Department of Media and Communications and mentored generations of students. He was also the university’s first graduate to obtain an MA in Communications.
During his years lecturing in Printing Processes, Mallia introduced the idea of an annual student-produced magazine, The Scream, in the 1990s, providing students with an opportunity to develop their writing, design and publishing skills. I have fond memories of Ġorġ in the Scream production of 2003 where I was part of that issue.
His influence, however, extended well beyond academia. For many Maltese people, their first encounter with Mallia’s work came during childhood through the numerous books he wrote and illustrated.
Among his best-known works are Ktieb ix-Xwejjaħ, published in 1987, and Avventura taħt l-Art, first published in English in 1989 before being adapted into Maltese in 1993. His popular Pullu series for very young readers began appearing in 2000 and continued to be enjoyed by generations of children.
Mallia remained active as an author and illustrator until recent years. His L-Istejjer tal-Professur Għasfur was published in 2024. He also produced work for adult readers, including Mitt Ruħ, published in 2020.
He was closely involved in children’s publishing, serving as co-editor and producer of the magazine Sagħtar and, for a period, editor of the national children’s magazine HeyU!.
Mallia was equally well known for his work as a cartoonist. His ŻEPP cartoons became a familiar feature of the Sunday press, combining humour and social commentary while often taking aim at contemporary political and social issues.
He also produced a series of tribute cartoons commemorating prominent Maltese people who had died. One of his final examples honoured veteran broadcaster Norman Hamilton, who died the previous week. His last cartoon strip published on 16th August was his final post just a couple of days ago.
His work in publishing and illustration was accompanied by a strong commitment to the rights of artists. Mallia served as chairman of the National Book Council of Malta and was the current chair of Malta University Press.
University colleagues described Mallia as someone whose teaching, creativity and dedication had touched the lives of numerous students and staff over many years.
Tributes also came from the Malta Community of Illustrators, which remembered him as a warm and generous presence who was always willing to help and support fellow artists.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Mallia’s work had become part of the fabric of the country, recalling how his cartoons and writing had made generations of Maltese people “smile, think and sometimes see ourselves a little differently”.
Mallia remained professionally active almost until the end of his life. Less than two weeks before his death, he had spoken about artificial intelligence and the publishing industry, arguing for greater transparency in the way AI-generated images are produced and presented.
Born in Qormi, Mallia leaves behind his wife and two children.
His death marks the loss of a distinctive voice in Maltese culture—an academic who influenced generations of students, an author whose books became part of children’s lives, and a cartoonist whose pen frequently captured the humour and contradictions of contemporary Malta.
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