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COMMERCIAL 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 7 FEBRUARY 2024 THE Gabriel Caruana Foun- dation is launching "Long To Belong", its third collective ex- hibition of the SPRING Artistic Programme for Emerging Art- ists 2022 to 2024. This collective exhibition, featuring the works of Mono- 2Mass, Giola Cassar and Aprille Zammit, and Sepho- ra Schembri, is conceptually developed and curated by the Gabriel Caruana Foundation's Co-Creative Director and Cu- rator Elyse Tonna. Opening its doors on the 9th of February, 2024, at The Mill, Birkirkara, the exhibition is supported by Arts Council Mal- ta. Elyse Tonna describes Long To Belong, as "a journey into the intricate tapestry of human connection, guided by the cre- ative minds of Mono2Mass, Gi- ola Cassar and Aprille Zammit, and Sephora Schembri.'' The exhibition prompts a re- flective dialogue, encouraging visitors to contemplate their sense of belonging in the com- plex reality of today's world. Tonna explains that "in a world marked by detachment and po- larisation, "Long To Belong" beckons us to explore the pro- found realms of the home, the vernacular, the familiar, and the community." Giola Cassar and Aprille Zam- mit, visual artists immersed in the exploration of identity and nature, bring their unique per- spectives to "Long To Belong." The artists have shared studio space for the past three years, during which they have spent many hours discussing and critiquing their individual and collaborative works. Cassar, through the lens of photogra- phy, captures the remarkable beauty found in everyday, ordi- nary things. Zammit delves into screen printing and film photography, amplifying the depth of their collaborative works. They have been brought together by their appreciation for the remarka- ble beauty found in everyday, ordinary things, be it in nature or in life itself. They describe their collabora- tive work for the exhibition as a means "to delve into the intri- cate balance between seeking solace in solitude and nurtur- ing a sense of belonging within a community, reflecting on a world where both the individ- ual and the collective hold cru- cial roles in human existence." Mono2Mass, a contemporary art collective comprising FBRZ VLL and Jean Churoe, em- barks on a playful exploration of modern art conventions. Mono2Mass revealed their de- sire of "incorporating new me- dia such as sound and site-spe- cific installation through which we reflect the dynamics of the Internet Era and its impact on WWWorldwide culture." Sephora Schembri, a mas- ters graduate in architecture, weaves her background in conservation studies into her artistic practice. Drawn to lo- cal natural materials and tra- ditional techniques, Schembri creates a profound connection to her homeland, Malta. Schembri describes her work for "Long To Belong" as an at- tempt to "rekindle a connection to Malta's neolithic past, where the land was sacred, and people were attuned to cyclic patterns in the sky." Her work was re- cently recognised by the Malta Crafts Foundation through the award Premju Ġieħ l-Artiġjanat Malti - Student Maker of the Year. In 2023, she was also rec- ognised for her work in print- making intertwined with the art of weaving at the Malta School of Art in collaboration with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ as part of IdeArti II, where she was cho- sen as the winner and awarded a scholarship at the Salzburg Summer Academy of Fine Arts. The SPRING Artistic Pro- gramme by the Gabriel Carua- na Foundation is designed to nurture emerging artists, has three interconnected strands: the Creative Process, led by Elyse Tonna; the Artistic Pro- gramming, overseen by Raf- faella Zammit; and the En- gagement Process, guided by Martina Camilleri. Together, they form a robust support structure for artists, fostering growth, collabora- tion, and community engage- ment. Mark your calendars, in- vite your friends, and immerse yourself in the beauty of art and culture as "Long To Belong" unfolds its narrative, inviting us all to reflect on our sense of belonging in an interconnected world. The exhibition runs from the 9th of February to the 1st of March at The Mill – Art, Cul- ture, and Crafts Centre, Birkir- kara, for more information visit https://gabrielcaruanafounda- tion.org. Gabriel Caruana Foundation launches 'Long To Belong' Art on display by Giola Cassar (top), Aprille Zammit (second from top), Monto2Mass (above left) and Sephora Schembri (above right)