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3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 DECEMBER 2025 CULTURE Conclusion of Artist Residency Programme organised by Malta Society of Arts and Arts Council Malta Artists Martina Georgina and Nina Gerada shared elements of their extensive research process developed during their residency THE Malta Society of Arts (MSA), in collaboration with Arts Council Malta (ACM), success- fully concluded the second and final edition of the acclaimed Variations on Emergence Artist Residency programme with a fi- nal event held on Friday 12 De- cember 2025. The event, hosted at Palazzo de La Salle, the MSA's headquarters in Valletta, show- cased the extensive research and new work developed by the 2025 resident artists, Nina Gerada and Martina Georgina, during their eight-month programme. This residency project was spe- cifically designed for emerging practitioners based in Malta, in- spired by the concept of "emer- gence" – a stage of developing one's artistic practice. It was structured to provide a supportive framework for artists to expand their horizons in new and chal- lenging directions. Visual artist Nina Gerada presented material developed through her project, Collecting Embodiment. Gerada's research stemmed from reconnecting with the Maltese coastlines and tradi- tional crafts, culminating in a col- lection of material tests, found ob- jects and photography that traces a dialogue between the body, landscape and memory. Reflecting on the freedom and expansion the programme pro- vided, Nina commented: "The residency at the Malta Society of Arts has given me the space to research in non-conventional ways, without the pressure to pro- duce. For example, I've spent time walking the coasts of the Maltese Islands with no specific agenda, which has allowed me the free- dom to experiment and try new things. Materially, my work has expanded. Although I normally make sculptures in clay, during the residency I've explored rock, carving, weaving, photography, fabrics and found objects. The MSA has also organised conversa- tions and workshops with crafts- people, curators and scientists, all of which have broadened my skill set and network." Performing artist Martina Geor- gina shared Horsepower, a series of performative experimenta- tions. Her work was an embod- ied inquiry into care, proximity and observation, stemming from fieldwork in the local horse world, including volunteering at RMJ Horse Rescue. This supportive framework for exploring unex- pected interests was crucial to her process. As Martina noted: "During our first meeting as resident artists at MSA, we were asked to think of engaging in skills and activities that may not be so directly related to our practice, to challenge and surprise ourselves given the length of time of the residency period. I impulsively asked whether con- necting with horses could be con- sidered a good example and this was received with enthusiasm. This supportive framework has allowed me the opportunity to in- vest my time outside of the studio; choosing to spend time with hors- es as my fieldwork, then engaging in the process of translating my experiences and documentation into performative research mate- rial from a place of responsive em- bodiment and intuition." The event offered the audience a valuable insight into the artists' exploratory processes in the beau- tiful settings of the Sala dei Cava- lieri and Vaults within Palazzo de La Salle. The event successfully concluded the two-edition pro- gramme dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Maltese artists. Luke Dalli, Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, said: "Art- ist residencies such as Variations on Emergence play a vital role in strengthening Malta's creative ecosystem by giving emerging practitioners the time, space, and trust to deepen their research and expand their practice. This col- laboration with the Malta Society of Arts reflects our ongoing com- mitment to investing in artistic development at crucial stages of an artist's journey, while fostering meaningful dialogue between art- ists, communities, and place." Roderick Camilleri, Acting Pres- ident of the Malta Society of Arts echoed Dr Dalli's comments. "Through our collaboration with Arts Council Malta, Variations on Emergence has allowed us to meaningfully invest in emerging artistic practices in Malta. Nina Gerada and Martina Georgina have demonstrated how time, mentorship and openness can lead to rigorous, generous and deeply engaged artistic research. We are proud to have hosted and supported this process at the Mal- ta Society of Arts together with ACM." Find out more Arts Council Malta: www. artscouncilmalta.gov.mt or www.facebook.com/ ArtsCouncilMalta Malta Society of Arts: www. artsmalta.org or www.facebook. com/MaltaSocietyOfArts Nina Gerada: www.ninagerada. com or www.instagram.com/ ninagerada Martina Georgina: www.instagram.com/ martinageorginatekla Nina Gerada Martina Georgina