Built on Sand

'Built on Sand' is a project by Marcin Piekałkiewicz, in which he examines the social, environmental, and spatial effects of rapid real estate development in Malta. The project looks at how capitalism survives by producing and constantly reshaping space. But economic growth, while often celebrated, comes with significant, hidden, costs. Since moving to Malta in 2017, Piekałkiewicz has documented rampant construction, environmental damage, housing pressure, and labour exploitation intensified by extreme population density. Through photography and research, 'Built on Sand' exposes the fragile foundations beneath Malta’s economic success.