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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 AUGUST 2024 2 ART Malta Society of Arts to open ambitious ceramics exhibition Neolithic treasures meet contemporary creations in an expansive showcase featuring 36 artists and over 175 works and historical artefacts THE Malta Society of Arts (MSA) is set to open its latest exhibition, Clay/Craft/Concept, on Thursday 22 August. This ambitious show is a Malta Soci- ety of Arts initiative and brings together the works of 36 distin- guished local and international artists, including notable figures such as Gabriel Caruana, Skuja Braden, Stipan Tadić, Paul Scer- ri, Hae Won Sohn, Leah Kaplan, Francesca Balzan, Caz Hilde- brand, and Victor Diacono, among others. The exhibition, hosted at the Art Galleries of MSA's Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta, will fea- ture over 175 pieces, ranging from Neolithic artefacts from Malta's ancient period (circa 5200-2500 BC) to contemporary sculptures by emerging artists like Ioulia Chante and the duo THISS. The diversity of materi- als, including porcelain, self-dry- ing clay, terracotta, and found objects, is matched by an array of eclectic production meth- ods such as wheel-throwing, hand-building, 3D printing, and installation work. Clay/Craft/Concept: Contem- porary Ceramics, Ancient Histo- ries is a testament to the Malta Society of Arts' enduring com- mitment to bridging its rich past with modern artistic practices. With a history spanning over 170 years, the MSA has consistently championed craftspeople and companies, not least by award- ing its esteemed Gold Medal to organisations such as Farsons Brewery in 1929 for their skill in brewing beer, Scicluna and Co. in 1903 for building handmade pianos in Malta, and Pirotta and Sons in 1965 for their artistic craftsmanship in silver. Notably, the Society has also honoured local ceramicists Gabriel Caru- ana in 2014 and Paul Haber in 2018 with the prestigious Medal. Curator Gabriel Zammit has undertaken the formidable task of assembling this eclectic col- lection. The pieces on display have been generously loaned by institutions such as MUŻA – The National Community Art Museum, Heritage Malta, the National Museum of Ar- chaeology, Valletta Contempo- rary Shop, Marie Gallery 5, the Gabriel Caruana Foundation, and various private collectors. Works by international artists have travelled from Germany, the US, England, Scotland, Italy, Latvia, and Spain to be part of this unique exhibition. "The primary goal of this ex- hibition is to explore the vari- ous ways of working with clay," Zammit explains. "Clay/Craft/ Concept aims to create a dia- logue between sculptural and functional clay objects, by bring- ing together a wide and diverse group of artists who each ap- proach their craft differently. We are challenging the audience to consider the line between craft and fine art, and whether that distinction truly exists." Zammit also highlights the exhibition's dynamic nature, blending education with an el- ement of surprise. "I'm eager to see how visitors react to seeing a mug or bowl by an emerging art- ist displayed alongside a sculp- ture by an established name. This exhibition is both a nod to the Society's historical signifi- cance and an investigation into contemporary questions. The exhibition design by Tom van Malderen adds another layer of meaning, promising an experi- ence that is both engaging and unexpected." MSA President Arch. Adrian Mamo emphasises the institu- tion's ongoing dedication to pro- moting crafts. "The Society's ex- hibitions always seek to build on our historical foundations while staying attuned to contemporary trends and future possibilities," he asserts. "The MSA, with its commitment to educating near- ly a thousand students annually and its unique offering of craft courses such as lacemaking, is the ideal platform for this exhi- bition. We are proud to support a new generation of craftspeo- ple/artists and position their work within a broader historical context." The exhibition will be accom- panied by a comprehensive catalogue, available in Septem- ber, featuring essays by Vince Briffa and Clive Zammit that delve into the intersections of craft and fine art. Additionally, a clay workshop led by Martina Farrugia, titled Remembering Through Clay, will invite par- ticipants to explore personal memories through the medium of clay. Clay/Craft/Concept will be on display from 22 August to 26 September at the Art Galleries of the Malta Society of Arts in Val- letta. This is a Malta Society of Arts initiative and is supported by The Italian Cultural Institute, il-Lokal, and CBK Rotterdam. Admission is free. For more in- formation and opening hours, please visit www.artsmalta.org/ events or www.facebook.com/ maltasocietyofarts. Above: Neolithic Cup With Ribbon Handle fired clay c 3800 to 3600 bce, below: Helen Martin Lowinger, Untitled, terracotta and oxide glaze, c. 1995 (MUZA - Heritage Malta)