Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523374
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 JUNE 2024 3 ART Ngħaddu ż-Żmien, an exhibition of cross- cultural artistic exchange opening at MSA Exploring migration and identity: Maltese artist Ed Dingli and Portuguese artist Patarra debut their collaborative exhibition, Ngħaddu ż-Żmien, at the Malta Society of Arts, opening on 27 June CONVERSATIONS between a Maltese artist living in Portugal, and a Portuguese artist living in Malta. This cultural exchange was the starting point of Ngħaddu ż-Żmien, an exhibition featuring paintings, artefacts and an instal- lation by Maltese artist Ed Dingli and Portuguese artist Patarra, cu- rated by Andrew Borg Wirth, and opening at the Malta Society of Arts on 27 June. "We began our journey by send- ing each other history of art ref- erences, current exhibitions, and cultural tips as we both sought to delve deeper into the cultures of our newly adopted homes. As artists who share a similar graph- ic language, we began to share sketches, thoughts, and ideas, and eventually things started to take the shape of an exhibition," com- ment Dingli and Patarra. "Our collaboration, bridging our back- grounds in illustration and design, has pushed us to explore painting in new, profound ways." Ngħaddu ż-Żmien will feature paintings in acrylics and oils, as well as pencil drawings and pro- cess sketches exploring themes of migration, identity, and the quest for meaning. "As foreigners in our new lands, we are in constant search for common ground to give us our sense of home. As both our countries face a wave of homoge- nisation in the wake of globalisa- tion, we explore the everyday nu- ances of mundane culture which give a country and a people their identity, and try to find our place within it all," they add. Curator Andrew Borg Wirth highlights the exhibition's celebra- tion of Mediterranean summers: "Dingli and Patarra's works cher- ish the everyday, blending famil- iarity with their evolving artistic expressions," he explains. "Their works radiate a strong sense of familiarity. Audiences will ap- preciate this, as well as the artis- tic evolution of both artists, who are beginning to explore painting while departing from their foun- dations in graphic art and design. I have followed their trajectory as they debut their painting practice, and worked to showcase what is identifiable in their work." MSA President Arch. Adrian Mamo expresses his satisfaction that the MSA is supporting new engaging work by two artists who are pushing their boundaries but not only. "Ed Dingli and Patarra are presenting the result of hours of research, observation and ex- changes, and we look forward to see audience's reactions to works rich in cultural and political reflec- tions that reference the current situations in both countries," he says. Ngħaddu ż-Żmien is an exhibi- tion by Ed Dingli and Patarra and curated by Andrew Borg Wirth. It is open from 27 June to 18 July 2024 at the Malta Society of Arts, 219, Republic Street, Valletta. En- trance is free. For opening hours please visit www.artsmalta.org or www.facebook.com/maltasociety- ofarts. Top, Left to right: Patarra (Photo by Dave Zammit), Patarra (Photo by Dave Zammit), Bottom, left to right: Ed Dingli and Patarra at work (Photo by Dave Zammit) and Photo by Dave Zammit