Francis Sultana on Collecting, Malta's Biennale Return, and Designing for Art Lovers

Designer and collector Francis Sultana, alongside his partner gallerist David Gill, recently acquired and restored a palazzo in Valletta, Malta, commissioning site-specific works from artists like Daniel Buren. Sultana's passion for art began with design and architecture, influenced by Malta's Baroque St John's Cathedral. His first collectible piece was a 1990 Bruce Weber photograph. Sultana and Gill collect contemporary art and limited-edition design, often commissioning works for their homes. Gill, whom Sultana met in the early 1990s at his Fulham Road gallery, has been a key mentor. Artists in their collection include Richard Prince, Franz West, Christopher Wool, Paul McCarthy, and Olafur Eliasson. Current wish-list artists are Joe Barclay and Matt Connors. Sultana recalls a favorite quote from Zaha Hadid: 'There should never be an end to experimentation.' As an interior designer for collectors, he balances contemporary art with decor, noting that collectors enjoy provoking guests. Sultana is hosting a cocktail for the Malta Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, returning after 18 years, with curator Raphael Vella and Bettina Hutschek. He believes Malta will become a contemporary art hotspot, with 2018 as a turning point.