Clay Craft Concept
Contemporary ceramics ancient histories
Malta Society of Arts, 22 August - 26 September 2024
What is the difference between a sculpture and a beautifully crafted but functional object, such as a mug or a vase? CLAY / CRAFT / CONCEPT investigates different ways of creating with clay, from prehistory to contemporary practice, and creates a dialogue between sculptural and functional clay objects by bringing together a large and eclectic group of artists.
The Malta Society of Arts has a long been a stronghold for supporting crafts and has a history of clay education. CLAY / CRAFT / CONCEPT flows from this legacy while also bringing the Society’s activity into dialogue with contemporary currents of thought.
Clay / Craft / Concept, full catalogue
Participating artists Victor Agius, Julie Apap, Shirley Agius Xuereb, Francesca Balzan, Trevor Borg, Skuja Braden, Tony Briffa, Gabriel Caruana, Ioulia Chante, Nico Conti, Andrew Diacono, Victor Diacono, Burghild Eichheim, Martina Farrugia, Sina Farrugia, Alberto Favaro, Nina Gerada, Caz Hildebrand, Leah Kaplan, Helen Martin Lowinger, Rosa Madonna, Nadya Anne Mangion, Clare McCracken, Eleanor Meredith, Salvina Muscat, Kira Ni, Paul Scerri, Anna Snowdon, Hae Won Sohn x Stipan Tadić, THISS, THISS x Rebecca Bonaci, THISS x VERNACULAR, Tiziana Schembri, Jeremy Tua, Ally Vella, Maryia Virshych
Curation Gabriel Zammit; Catalogue essays Vince Briffa, Clive Zammit; Exhibition design Tom van Malderen; Production Malta Society of Arts; Production assistant Luke Dimech; Graphic design Stelios Ypsilantis; Lenders MUŻA – The National Community Art Museum, Heritage Malta, National Museum of Archaeology, Heritage Malta, Valletta Contemporary Shop, Marie Gallery 5, Mary Rose Caruana and the Gabriel Caruana Foundation, Catherine and Patrick Calleja, those who wish to remain anonymous; Special thanks Serena Alessi, Antonella Axisa, Norbert Francis Attard, Pierre Bonello, Lara Bugeja Strickland, Anna Calleja, Antonia Critien, Maria Eileen Fsadni, Franceen Galea, Galea Hardware Store Siġġiewi, Maria Galea, Michael Lowell, Adrian Mamo, Katya Micallef, Jeanine Rizzo, Malta Society of Arts Staff, Sharon Sultana, Dennis Vella, Michaele Zammit, Raffaella Zammit, Stelios Ypsilantis
CLAY / CRAFT / CONCEPT is a Malta Society of Arts Initiative
Supported by The Italian Cultural Institute, Il-Lokal, CBK Rotterdam
Press and content What is the difference between a sculpture and a functional object?; From conversations on clay to nostalgic scenes of Malta – take note of these August events; Malta Society of Arts opens ambitious ceramics exhibition; CLAY / CRAFT / CONCEPT is an exploration of functionality and artistic value and how the current generation of local ceramists and potters…; 36 artists participate in “Clay, Craft, Concept” exhibition at Palazzo La Salle; Neolithic treasures meet contemporary creations in an expansive showcase featuring 36 artists and over 175 works; Sculpted beauty awaits!; Artpaper interviews Gabriel Zammit