Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/219723
30 THIS WEEK THIS WEEK CULTURE | TV | FILM CINEMA LISTINGS FOOD | WHAT'S ON Busy is good We speak to young painter Sam Sultana who, fresh from participating at the Divergent Thinkers 2 exhibition as St James Cavalier with Izaxa collective, will now be turning his Zebbug-based studio into an exhibition space to present 'Fluxus', starting on December 13 Malcolm Galea The Dame in the woods Ahead of his adventure at this year's Masquerade panto – The Little Red Riding Hood And You Know Who – at the Manoel Theatre, actor and comedian Malcolm Galea speaks to us about what it's like to be the Dame TEODOR RELJIC What do you like to receive in your fruit basket? I'm afraid I don't receive fruit baskets anywhere near as often as I'd prefer. However if I was ever blessed with an abundance of fruit baskets coming my way, I'd wish for them to be replete with pineapples. They amuse me. How do you think young girls should behave? Pretty much exactly the same as young boys should behave – except for the whole 'pee standing up' thing: they should avoid that. On a related note, what are some of the dangers young girls face today? Off the top of my head I'd say societal expectations, inevitable disappointment, low self esteem, high self esteem, false friends, dodgy role-models, peer pressure, fast food and unscrupulous warlords from the future. I'm sure there are others though. What are your favourite techniques for vanquishing wolves? Up until now I've always relied on a flamethrower but since becoming a father I've been trying to be a good example for my sons. Now I no longer try to vanquish them as such but rely on dialogue and a series of common interests in order to better understand where they're coming from and try to meet them halfway. Why would you say kids will enjoy your upcoming adventure at the Manoel Theatre? They'll recognise the original fairy tale hidden beneath all the cool plot twists and outrageous humour and they'll be captivated by the storyline and characters while (hopefully) missing many of the jokes... The Little Red Riding Hood and You Know Who will be staged at the Manoel Theatre from December 26 to January 6. For more information, turn to page 39 "I was raised surrounded by the atmosphere of experimentation and construction, both my parents are creative people and thus I do not recall a particular moment of realisation. I was definitely in the right context to develop my creative vision. "It was my mum who brought me into the world of creation. This was my first language. Being a mother was her major trip and priority in life, documenting her children growing up was her joy. As a result of that, I am lucky enough to have a whole wardrobe dedicated to my evolution from birth. "She used to sit us down on the kitchen table (the largest surface in the house) and cover the tabletop with some plastic or newspaper. She then used to bring out all the tools and materials and both my brother and I would spend ages exploring. She would ask us what we were doing and drawing and write it down at the back of the picture. Looking back on it, there's some crazy descriptions! "These memories are the most vivid times of my childhood, with impressions of incredible travels and great feats accomplished. "I have encountered a number of exotic characters and situations throughout my travels that have contributed to my evolution and carved my identity. We are to a degree an amalgamation of others. The important thing is to be open to experience and step away from our well-defined ego. "Everything is in flux; I look at the same things differently and from different angles as new experience mutates me. Chaos is the only constant. "All experience somehow finds its way into my work, yet I do not tend to do it in any conscious manner: it surfaces. I don't always realise it there and then. Sometimes it takes a while to make sense. "I have spent around 3 years in the UK. Just under two of those years were spent in an educational context. First at Kingston University (London), followed by the University for the Creative Arts Canterbury, working on my Masters in Fine Arts. This was the educational context I was yearning for and could not receive in Malta: a perfect blend of practice and theory. "The course turned out to be a very liberating experience, where I was given immense freedom in a peaceful atmosphere, with excellent guidance from tutors. By the end of this tremendous exploration I had gained a great deal of insight and momentum. "The third year was spent in Bristol, living and working with an art collective. It was an experiment in which five people left their homes permanently in order to start a fresh life in art. The concept was to exist exclusively in a newly created and undefined flux driven environment. "Part of this transition manifested into the squatter life: the good, the bad and the ugly… being there, I had the opportunity to organise, and be hosted in a number of shows and exhibitions in different venues and galleries. "Over time, living in such context and conditions, although incredibly enriching, took its toll on my spirit. It became stressful, and every day life issues took over the focus I wished to dedicate to my work. A number of things that led me to move back to Malta – it just felt right, and I do not regret my decision. I made a longterm, calculated strategy for what I consider to be success. "As for the art scene in Malta, there are many problematic aspects, and we continuously self-criticise – which is good! We are self aware, and in want of change… talking about it is important; yet it is the doing which is the essential bit.