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24 THIS WEEK THIS WEEK CULTURE | TV | FILM CINEMA LISTINGS FOOD | WHAT'S ON The Young Turks of Mal fine art scene For the next few weeks, MaltaToday will profile students from the MCAST Art and Design Higher National Diploma and Bachelor's programmes. In this, the second week, we interview Lara Manara and Michela Said The influence of MCAST LM: My experience there helped me to discover who I aim to be and who I am as an artist. Throughout the three years I spent at MCAST Art & Design, my tutors always encouraged me to express myself and experiment with unusual new media, such as video installation and performance art, which I had never really used to convey my concepts with before. I saw a huge improvement in not only my technique, but also in my appreciation for art itself. My experience in such an artistic environment also showed me just how long I can explore a concept, giving new depth and meaning to everything I create. Feedback from peers and lecturers was also crucial in learning how to accept my failures and in the formation of this newfound fine art identity. I also gained significant experience in curating, Lara Manara realising and dismantling exhibitions along with my peers, and working with them through various creative processes of production while meeting the challenges presented to us. Also, the research done for the dissertation allowed me to learn the nuances of sexual objectification, Maltese society and its relation to artists, artworks, literature and film. I became passionate about the topic, and it has provided me with good investigative and analytical skills. MS: Textile has always been my passion. I chose textile studies in secondary school and at that point I was determined to continue studying this subject. I continued my studies at MCAST, where I found the opportunity to work in different workshops and experiment with other different materials. I have gained new skills in various mediums and also had the chance to specialise more in textiles. During these past three years while I was studying fine art I continued focusing on using textile in my work. Throughout the course I experimented with different techniques and working in both 2D and 3D. Now I feel more confident in this sector and started experimenting and combining textile with drawing, using threads. I wouldn't have made it without the help of my tutors, Anna Anchilleri, who always encourage me in making use of textile in my work, and Teresa Sciberras, who helped me develop my artistic skills. Your art's main defining factor LM: Encouraging people to discuss modern day issues through art, such as sexual objectification and oppression. In my work I've always taken a critical view on social and cultural issues. My current projects have focused on deconstructing gender issues, attempting to bring my personal experiences into consciousness and battling towards women's 'subjecthood'. With my art I aim to encourage a discussion among viewers about issues which should be addressed. My recent work attempts to make reference to the male gaze and how this affects women's mental health and position in society. Some works reflect on the moral shame in Maltese culture due to the longstanding teachings provided by the Church. The nature of my work often depends upon the space in which it is viewed, the most recent example being an installation, video and performance art piece where I included the viewer as a central element. I attempt to bring into question their role as spectator, subject, or performer. MS: The use of fabric as an art medium became a significant element in my work. Some consider my work as craft because of the technique I use. The next step in your artistic development LM: I plan on taking a year off from academia to gain some experience in the real world. However, I'm really taking it day by day. I'm in no rush to prove myself.I plan on completing a master's and hopefully move to Berlin very soon after. But we will see how it all turns out; I have many dreams for the future. MS: In my next projects I will be concentrating more in combining printmaking and textile, using different techniques on various fabrics. Also, in the future I will be doing a master's in printmaking abroad.