Petrol Stations
This photographic project documents the evolution of petrol stations in Malta, exploring how these often-overlooked spaces reflect changes in architecture, technology and everyday mobility. Inspired by Ed Ruscha’s Twenty-six Gasoline Stations, the project takes a spontaneous documentary approach, photographing stations encountered while travelling around Malta. Extensive research and experimentation informed the project, including research into photographic approaches, artists, composition, movement and presentation. Test shooting helped establish a consistent visual approach, with motion blur used to emphasise how petrol stations are often passed by and overlooked. A key challenge was working spontaneously with changing light, traffic and limited opportunities to photograph each location. Through this process, I refined my skills, composition and attention to detail, ultimately photographing nine petrol stations, each retaining its own visual character. The final series presents these stations as a visual record of Malta’s changing landscape and relationship with the car, highlighting the individuality and transformation of spaces that are part of everyday life.
