Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1424528
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 OCTOBER 2021 9 CULTURE OVER 18 months ago, a glob- al health pandemic forced a re-structuring onto our col- lective way of life. Covid-19 imposed a universal change of pace, a re-thinking of pub- lic and personal health, and a complete overhaul of social and community living. Un- masked brings together the work of sixteen artists in a collective exhibition that me- morialises what was lost and longed for during the pandem- ic. Each of the artists was in- vited to freely interpret themes related to the pandemic and its associated restrictions – the result is a collection of work that ranges from abstracted interpretations of its impact, to literal scenes of forfeited normalcy. Unmasked makes its protagonists the people behind the masks, the forgotten fac- es, and the fading crowds and gatherings. Alex Dalli, Alexia Coppini, Andrew Borg, Andrew Smith, Arja Nukarinen Callus, Cath- erine Cavallo, Celia Borg Car- dona, Debbie Bonello, Elena Degenhardt, Francesca Balzan, Henry Falzon, Jeni Carua- na, Karl Froman, Marisa At- tard, Nick Inguanez and Sarah Calleja each contribute to the show, with work ranging from sculpture to painting to iPad drawings. "We were all asked to isolate, empty streets and eerily empty cities," Andrew Borg recounts, describing one of his paintings in the show. "Yet, through this isolation, those who made it outside gained a bigger sense of space, a selfish taste of enjoying the outside in a solitary way. Big spaces, but introspective thoughts". Commenting on her work, Elena Degenhardt described the impact the pandemic had on personal connections – "I think this pandemic made many of us re-evaluate some things in our lives, including our relationships. Lockdowns and quarantines might have kept us close to some people while separating us from the others. They might have made us realise some things about our relationships we did not know before". Unmasked explores these and many other themes through a varied and vibrant collection of works. In bringing these visual interpretations togeth- er in one space, the exhibition invites artists and viewers alike to contemplate a feeling of shared wistfulness – to reflect on everything that was missed during the past year and a half, and perhaps consider what might have been gained. Unmasked: 16 artist memorialise what was lost and longed-for during the pandemic