Transcending the Domestic – Joana Vasconcelos
The new Malta International Contemporary Arts Space (MICAS) opened its doors in October to reveal a fascinatingly restored 17th-centry complex in Floriana coupled with an exhibition by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, whose grand installations formed the basis of her ongoing display, Transcending the Domestic. Among the imposing and thought-provoking installations is ‘Solitaire’, a towering ‘engagement ring’ composed of golden alloy wheel rims that make up the band, and crystal whisky glasses that form a diamond. “This contrast of mass-produced and handcrafted artefacts creates a striking dialectic of our values and associations with each,” MICAS states, “for within the layers of Vasconcelos’s work, we find a complex challenge to confront these ‘feminine’ crafts with feminist concerns and societal conventions.” Until March 2025.
Soak in Sunlight – Aprille Zammit
In her first solo exhibition at Marie Gallery 5 in Tigne, Aprille Zammit invites viewers to reconsider how we frame our experiences and perceptions of the world around us, emphasising the importance of intentionally framing nature as a vital part of our lives. “We frequently prioritise tangible achievements; diplomas, artwork, and family photographs, while neglecting the expansive horizons, the calming sea, and the warmth of the sun. By choosing to frame these natural elements in our lives, we create moments of stillness that allow us to reconnect with our surroundings.” Until 7th November.
New Forms Vol.2 – James Vella Clark
Following the success of New Forms, an exhibition of abstract paintings held last year at the showroom of furniture company Form, expressionist artist James Vella Clark presents New Forms Vol.2 at Camilleri Paris Mode’s Rabat store. The exhibition brings together a new series of large abstracts that the artist describes as “a dialogue between influence and intuition. The works are deeply rooted in my profound respect to the abstract expressionism language I relate to. Yet, there’s a huge effort in freeing myself as an act of artistic exploration.” Until 16th November.
Vibrant Forces: Nature in Living Colour - Joël Circhanski-Deleuze
French-born artist Joël Circhanski-Deleuze is staging his first solo exhibition in Malta at The Atrium, The Xara Palace, Mdina. The exhibition, curated by Prof. Charlene Vella, presents a series of non-representational paintings exploring nature’s interconnectedness, blending vivid depictions of birds, sea creatures, and other animals into intricate compositions. Using a technique he describes as “compressions”, which merges overlapping shapes and textures to create depth and complexity, Joël’s work reflects an architectural precision that was influenced by his studies at the School of Interior Architecture in Bordeaux. Until 28 November.
Sensing Sound – Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti
Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti’s new Friday Talks series – which hosts regular, thought-provoking conversations with professionals from various artistic backgrounds at the Victor Pasmore Gallery in Valletta – will be hosting Tina Camilleri, from Electronic Music Malta. Her presentation, Sensing Sound, will provide a live demo, exploring the intersection of sound and art through selected works in the Gallery’s collection. Following the demo, a discussion will take place on the process and interaction between sound and art, with a focus on Pasmore’s works in today’s contemporary context. On November 15th.
Dinge – Claus Goedicke
Claus Goedicke, renowned as the ‘photographer of things’ and his profound exploration of ordinary objects, is displaying a series of photographs at Jo Borg Gallery in Sliema. With Dinge (2007-2017), he delves into the relationship between humans and everyday objects that are often small enough to hold in one hand. “By isolating these objects, he elevates their significance and explores their cultural, intellectual, and emotional dimensions,” the gallery shares. “His minimalist compositions invite contemplation, blending visual stillness with tactile interaction, and highlighting the intersection of human intention and material existence.” Until 17th December.
Rhythm of Fading – Joseph Farrugia
Drawing inspiration from spirituality, philosophy, and scientific exploration, visual artist Joseph Farrugia delves into the fleeting nature of existence in his exhibition The Rhythm of Fading at the Malta Society of Arts in Valletta. The artist invites viewers to “explore the complexity of time and reflect on its significance through the central figure of the juggler, who brings a steady rhythm to his craft while navigating the chaotic motions of movement.” Until 21st November.
Now is Now – Lorenzo Gargiulo
Photographer and videographer Lorenzo Gargiulo’s current exhibition in Malta, Now is Now, delves into candid, vivid and ‘unseen moments’ of everyday life captured through his lens. Based in Rome, Lorenzo’s art focuses on landscape, lifestyle, street, and documentary photography, often shot on film. The event, taking place at the Radisson Blu Resort in St Julian’s, marks the third installation of For the Love of Art, a series of events hosted by the creative collective and community, The Bored Peach Club. Until 17th November.
Main image by James Bianchi / MaltaToday
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