Silence Within Abundant Birdsong
Austin Camilleri, Julian Vassallo, Victor Agius and Laetitia Troisi De Menville returned to the Manikata church – which was inaugurated as a parish 50 years ago and quickly became a site of artistic exchange – to engage with its land and memory in new ways for the collective exhibition Silence Within Abundant Birdsong at the Malta Society of Arts. The four contemporary artists draw from the land within and around the Manikata church for this project, described as a “prospective, not retrospective – just as in 1975, artists are making Manikata their site once again.” Until 17th April.
Eutopia – What Lies Beyond
In her solo exhibition Eutopia – What Lies Beyond at Wignacourt Museum in Rabat, artist Marlene Gouder delves into the meaning of life and existentialism expressed through the depiction of her own children, inviting viewers to reconnect with their inner child. Her artworks capture idyllic moments frozen in time, charged with memory and nostalgia, such as a child walking or sitting in the tall grass at sunset. “I have used the experience of motherhood to unlearn all that I thought I knew and step towards reattaining childhood simplicity in a eutopian reality.” Until 28th April.
Gaudium
Also marking the 50th anniversary of the Manikata Church, designed by eminent architect Richard England, a collective of artists – Peter Seychell, Fabio Borg, Debbie Bonello, Catherine Cavallo, Sarah Calleja, Jeni Caruana, Rev. Peter Paul Sultana and Nadia Borg – explore the spiritual significance of the parish inspired by its rich setting. Meaning joy, Gaudium notes a time of celebration, reflection, and renewal. Until 27th April.
Dell u Dawl
Contemporary artist Alex Dalli’s residency at Phoenicia Malta throughout April, curated by Prof Charlene Vella, was born out of a deeply personal and challenging journey. Rather than yielding to despair, Dell u Dawl stands as a testament to hope, perseverance, and spiritual resilience. “Through my art, I try to express what words cannot. In moments of darkness, I have sought light; not just visually, but spiritually,” the artist says. “This exhibition is my way of sharing that journey, showing that even in the bleakest times, hope remains.” Until 29 April.
Healing Vessels
MUŻA, Malta’s National Community Art Museum, will be hosting Healing Vessels, a solo exhibition by Michelle Gialanze that sparks a dialogue between contemporary artworks and traditional Maltese Maiolica, offering visitors an appreciation of Malta’s artistic heritage through a contemporary lens. Traditional vessels are reimagined by the artist as powerful symbols and canvases for storytelling, transformation, and healing, inviting visitors to reflect on their own connection with nature, culture and history. From 24th April until 1st June.
Wounds – The Layers Within
Ivan Grixti is presenting a series of abstract works entitled Wounds – The Layers Within at Bizilla Art Space in Floriana. Through a series of wooden panels, Grixti elevates ‘imperfect materials’ to a level of beauty. While doing so, “he strongly reflects on the association of beauty in damaged surfaces, associates it to existential thoughts and evokes a tactile stratification of surfaces and colour.” Until 29th April.
Main image by Nicholas Agius Deguara
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