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2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JANUARY 2026 CULTURE Photographic exhibition by Leo Chircop opens at the Malta Society of Arts DREAM Welding, a new exhi- bition by Maltese image-maker Leo Chircop, opens on Thursday 8 January 2026 at 6.30pm at the Art Galleries of the Malta Socie- ty of Arts in Valletta. The show, which brings together a unified body of twelve large-scale imag- es, is open to the public until 7 February 2026. Reflecting on the decision to finally exhibit his work for the first time, Chircop notes: "For me, photography is a cherished medium. I take a lot of time to process things, both in life and in image-making, and I felt it was finally the right time to actualise the images I had in my mind un- der one body." While photography forms the foundation of the exhibition, Chircop resists strict definitions of medium. He describes him- self instead as an image-maker, engaging photography as part of a broader process that includes literature, research and adjacent visual practices. "Using a cam- era for me is only one aspect to create the whole story," he ex- plains, emphasising his ongoing curiosity and learning within the medium. The works in Dream Welding were developed alongside Chir- cop's reading on the body and water, particularly through the lens of hydro feminism. This theoretical grounding informs the exhibition's visual language, where the human body is pre- sented in an anti-portrait man- ner – less focused on individual identity and more on collective presence, materiality and the re- lationship between human and non human forms. Central to the evolution of the series is the work titled Dream Welding IV, an image Chircop describes as accidental yet form- ative. Returning to it repeatedly, he gradually recognised its role in shaping the exhibition's aesthet- ic. "I realised that having as little as possible going on in the image is what rested my eyes. It became a process of image 'bleaching' – removing elements through the viewfinder until I found a sense of peace and certainty." All works are presented in be- spoke, in-house designed met- al frames, created specifically for the exhibition. This design choice enhances the physical presence of the images and re- inforces the sense of cohesion across the series. Chircop hopes the audience will experience Dream Welding as an overarch- ing encounter rather than a se- quence of individual works. "All images are meant to be as one," he observes. "Dream Welding reflects the Malta Society of Arts' commit- ment to supporting thoughtful, research-driven contemporary practice," says MSA Acting Pres- ident Roderick Camilleri. "Leo Chircop's work invites viewers into a quiet yet deeply resonant space, where image, theory and material sensitivity converge. We are proud to present this ex- hibition as part of our ongoing programme." Dream Welding, an exhibi- tion by Leo Chircop, is open from 8 January to 7 February 2026. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, and Sat- urdays 9am to 1pm. Entrance is free. For more details about the exhibition please visit www. artsmalta.org/events or www. facebook.com/maltasocietyo- farts. ALL PHOTOS BY MARK SCICLUNA