Questioning what we take for granted

Minotaur.

Artist Matthew Cassar is holding his first solo exhibition, inspired by contemporary issues and the needs for social awarenss about them. The exhibition is the result of the culmination of a long-running project which attempted to redefine what many who live on this island, whether consciously or unconsciously, take for granted.

The project, which took place mainly online, aims to question and potentially break down social limitations that we find ourselves having to fight against on a daily basis. Breaking Barriers, the blog at www.exploringartindifferentforms.wordpress.com explored several themes such as gender roles and the extreme measures which can be taken to break them down.

The topics were inspired from these contemporary discussions, mainly concerning social awareness while being substantiated with readings and observations from important artists and authors respectively.

The themes which arose from the discussions and which were explored in this exhibition are religious morality in art, the creative process in art and discrimination within local society.

The works which will be exhibited are the result of a combination between readings, observation of different types of artists and the interaction through Facebook and the online blog.

The exhibition also bridges the gap between the artist and the viewer, with a focus on the interaction between visitors to the exhibition and the artist himself, giving visitors a more participatory role.

Painting Diaries is Matthew Cassar’s first solo exhibition, made possible through the Premju tal-President ghall-Kreattività 2011.

A self-taught artist who, at the start of the project worked mainly on figurative paintings, Cassar was inspired to experiment with his style, incorporating more contemporary techniques within his works.

Painting Diaries shows until May 17 at Palazzo Ferreria, Republic Street, Valletta.