‘About Life’

A contemporary art exhibition by CHRISTINE ATTARD; paintings, interactive installations, upcycled creations, opportunities for visitors to interact as well as create.

An exhibition “about life” experiences depicted through paintings, installations and up-cycled pieces, is being held in a house, converted into an interactive and hands on art centre, in Xemxija.

Each piece of art tells a story about situations in life that challenge the mind and allows for acknowledgement and personal growth. The installations are simplifications of learning points in the artist’s life that she hopes could serve others, allowing them to see things they may not be able to understand and give them another perspective on life situations.

The paintings are subconscious expressions reached through introspection and self-questioning, resulting in pieces that depict chapters in her life, that she wishes visitors could relate to.

The motivation to up-cycle is not only an opportunity to save materials from the landfill but also to act as “triggers of guilt” knowing that they have been discarded. The artist feels there is a link between items that are no longer seen as necessary or that serve a purpose and feeling hope that there is a new life in them.

She wants to encourage people, who may not easily relate to art or who find abstract art challenging to comprehend, to attend and challenge themselves to find connections.

Art is there to instigate emotion, thought, conversation and ignite curiosity. Everyone is allowed to think and feel for themselves and any feeling they create towards pieces is true and real and relevant to them.

The artist believes Art is about opening communication; it serves as an expressive tool to share experiences and emotions without inhibition.

Some exhibition pieces will ask visitors to write and share their experiences and create connections with others. There will be activity tables where people can create their own art as well as a table with art and poetry challenges provided by the book Life rhymes for young minds. There will also be a worksheet for children (ages 11+) to fill in as they go through the exhibition, which will hopefully open children’s minds to the artistic world.

This exhibition is a collaboration with the Richmond Foundation and there will be information leaflets for people to peruse as well as an opportunity to make a contribution towards the Foundation.

The exhibition is being held at 8, Trejqet Ghar Berbah, Xemxija, St Paul’s Bay and will run until 31 October. During the week it is open by appointment (send an email on: christineattard.setmore.com) and weekends from 10am to 6pm. It is set over three floors, with no lift available. Open to ages 11+ (any younger children will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times).

It is suggested that drivers park close to the Xemxija church roundabout (ex Mistra Village area).