Ever heard of the invisible string theory? It’s the idea that two people who are meant to meet will cross paths at just the right time, no matter where they are in the world.
That’s exactly what comes to mind when you hear Marta and Tomas’ story, who met in Valletta—back then, a city that felt like a grand theater, where every street and square set the stage for new encounters. They weren’t just two strangers crossing paths, but two people whose lives were about to change. A teacher and an artist, partners in life and in business, proof that sometimes, the choices we make lead us to the most unexpected yet meaningful connections.
We had the great honor and pleasure of meeting them in person, and today, we’re excited to share their beautiful and inspiring story with you, along with their personal take on life in Malta, what it’s like to live in Gozo, and the journey that brought them here.
Stay Tuned and check out our first of many expat success stories!
About Their Personal Background
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and where you come from?
Marta: My name is Marta Obiols Fornell, and I’m from a small town near Barcelona, Spain. I studied Philosophy and worked as a secondary school teacher for many years.
Tomas: I’m Tomas Hed, born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. Growing up, I spent my summers on a farm in the countryside, about three hours from Stockholm. I loved the contrast between city life and the peaceful beauty of nature, which greatly influenced my work as an artist. When I first visited Malta, I saw elements of both the vibrancy of city life and the tranquility of the coast, which immediately drew me in.
2. What inspired you to move to Malta?
Marta: In 2014, I decided to visit Malta to improve my English and look for new opportunities. I stayed in Valletta, soaking up the city’s history, meeting new people, and enjoying everything it had to offer. Not long after arriving, I met Tomas in Valletta. Over the years, our connection grew stronger, and today, he is both my life companion and business partner.
Tomas: I originally came to Malta for a holiday and to explore property options in Valletta, as I was considering settling here. Meeting Marta changed everything and took my plans in an unexpected but wonderful direction.
3. Did you move to Malta alone, with a partner, or with your family?
Marta: Tomas and I first met while visiting Valletta, each coming from different countries but both seeing Malta as an ideal place to live. In 2015, after a year spent in Spain, we decided to start our new life chapter in Malta, and rented a house in Attard. I started working as a Spanish teacher, but the daily commute and heavy traffic quickly became overwhelming. That lifestyle didn’t suit me, and I began feeling frustrated. We started considering Gozo as an alternative, imagining a pace and better quality of life. With Tomas being an artist and me loving books and a quiet environment, the sister island seemed like the perfect fit. In 2016, we made the decision to move there.
4. What motivated you to start a new life or business in Malta?
Marta: When we settled in Gozo, I immediately noticed how much it reminded me of my hometown in Spain, but with a major difference. Despite its small size, Gozo offers so many opportunities and attracts people from all over the world. The mix of cultures, the strong expat community, and the excellent services make it unique. It has the charm of a small town but with all the conveniences you could need.
Gozo is like a microcosm where everything is within reach
Starting Over in Gozo
5. What were your first impressions when you moved to Gozo?
Marta: When we moved to Gozo. back in 2016, we quickly realized that we had made the best decision. Everything fell into place seamlessly, and the island’s charm and energy inspired us to launch our business. Two years later, in July 2018, we officially opened the ArtHall Gallery. Within just a few months, we were fortunate to find the perfect spot at a reasonable price to rent in Victoria. It felt like it was meant to be—everything aligned with our vision and personalities.
6. What inspired you to start a business in Gozo?
Marta: We wanted to create something together that aligned with both our passions. As a teacher, I appreciate peaceful environments where I can read, reflect, and express my philosophical perspective, while Tomas, as an artist, sought a space to showcase his work. That’s when the idea of opening an art gallery came to us. It provides Tomas with a platform to display and sell his artwork alongside pieces from other artists, while I manage the space, handle sales, and maintain the website. Beyond that, the gallery also allows me to channel my creativity and philosophical outlook into curating a space that inspires meaningful conversations and artistic expression. It became the perfect fusion of our interests.
7. Did you experience any challenges navigating Malta’s bureaucracy, such as permits or registrations?
Tomas: I found the process to be quite simple, similar to what I’ve experienced in Sweden. People here are friendly, relaxed, and approachable, without any unnecessary attitude. As a foreigner, I haven’t encountered major difficulties in Malta, and I get the impression that it could be much harder in other countries.
Marta: One of the biggest challenges I faced was opening a bank account. At the time, I was working as a teacher, but opening an account wasn’t as straightforward, so I had to receive my wages by cheque instead. The process was slow and complicated, taking several months and requiring a long list of documents. One of the biggest hurdles was providing translated documents from my bank in Spain, which was a requirement. My brother had to assist me by sending over the necessary paperwork, which helped me finally complete the process. On another hand, my residence permit application went very smoothly. At the time, online applications weren’t available, so I had to visit Identità in person, but the process was straightforward, and I had no issues handling it.
8. How did you go about setting up your business? Was the process straightforward or challenging?
Marta: Setting up a business in Malta, particularly as a self-employed individual, is not overly complicated. The key is having the right people to guide you through the process. Being in Gozo, a close-knit island, worked to our advantage, whenever we needed help, we received great recommendations for professionals like accountants and lawyers. Their support made the legal and administrative aspects much smoother. There were still some formalities to complete, but having a good network made the process much easier.
The ArtHall Gallery
Let Art Find You
Is ArtHall’s guiding motto, aiming to make art accessible to a broader audience that has often been overlooked in the traditional art scene. Dedicated to showcasing and promoting contemporary art, both local and international, ArtHall seeks to introduce bold, avant-garde, and thought-provoking works in the Maltese Islands. The goal is to push boundaries, explore new ideas, and challenge societal norms.
Tomas Hed’s Artwork
At its core, ArtHall serves as a dynamic space for artistic expression, inspiring dialogue and collaboration across various creative disciplines, including philosophy, music, poetry, and literature. By embracing diverse art forms, the project encourages innovative approaches to perceiving and interpreting our shared reality. Under the leadership of director Marta Obiols Fornell, who was honored as Gozo’s Best Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, ArtHall continues to cultivate an interesting cultural exchange.
Featured Event: TANG PING EXHIBITION
Run, run, productivity, time, meritocracy, overwork, pressure, isolation, fitness,
exams, system, game, win.
Run, run? Towards what?
What keeps us moving at a frenetic pace? Wealth? Power? Prestige? Image? Is
there no way out? Are we simply trapped and condemned to continue like this? Does
our happiness depend only on what we have in our pockets? At ArtHall, “Tang Ping” becomes polyphonic art. In this exhibition, four artists express,
in different ways and mediums, their concern about time, dirty competition, being
trapped, kneeling down, losing autonomy, etc.
Do not miss to experience “Tang Ping,” a compelling art exhibition at ArtHall Gozo, opening on February 28, 2025, at 7:30 PM. This collective showcase features artists Tomas Hed, Hui Sun, Wallace Falzon, and Spyke von Stripe, who explore themes of societal pressure, overwork, and the quest for autonomy through diverse mediums. The exhibition runs until March 30, 2025, at ArtHall Gozo, located at 8, Triq Agius de Soldanis, Victoria, Gozo.
For an exclusive collection of unique art pieces by world-renowned artists, visit the ArtHall website.
If you’re an expat with a story to share, contact us at Expatax.mt to feature in our next interview!
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