As the annual Divergent Thinkers exhibition gets set to return to St James Cavalier as part of the Valletta International Visual Arts Festival later this month, Jo Caruana learns more about the young artists who will be presenting their work this year.

A Dining Room, by Umberto Buttigieg and Maxine Attard.

So much of art is the thinking process behind it. The final result is never just that – a finished result. It is an encapsulation of the days and weeks of thinking that have gone into it. The questions asked and the answers sought.

But, while that process is so integral to the consequence, it can often go unconsidered by its audience. So that is exactly why youth organisation Aġenzija Żgħażagħ dreamt up the Divergent Thinkers exhibition with the idea of highlighting the incredible brainstorming processes involved in the creation of works of art.

Now in its fourth year, Divergent Thinkers has become a highlight of the organisation’s annual calendar. In the time since the organisation first opened in 2011, it has become known for celebrating the spontaneity and excitement of young, innovative thought processes by exhibiting the works, concepts, drawings and other objects that show how a specific creative problem can be resolved successfully in many, different and even unusual ways.

“This project provides a platform for considering and exploring contemporary artistic practices by young Maltese artists and all under the general theme of divergent thinking,” says Miriam Teuma, who is the chief executive for Aġenzija Żgħażagħ.

“Beyond that, empowerment, as a process of supporting young people to explore and build their own identities, as well as giving expression to these identities, is also central to the aims of the project. Over the years it has continued to generate considerable interest among both the artistic community and the wider public.”

Miriam explains that the idea of empowering young people is central, both to the new National Youth Policy 2015-2020, which will be launched shortly, and to the role of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ.

“Empowering young people means creating and supporting the conditions under which they can act on their own behalf, and on their own terms, rather than at the direction of others.

Social Kitchen, by Matthew Schembri.

“In seeking to explore, build and give expression to their identities, young people need to develop self-awareness and self-reflection, interpersonal, communication and relationship skills as well as problem-solving, decision-making and reviewing skills,” she says.

Empowering young people means creating and supporting the conditions under which they can act on their own behalf and on their own terms rather than at the direction of others

Miriam also believes that youth empowerment is not only societal and political but also profoundly personal. “It is the start of a lifelong endeavour for every individual and one that seeks to recognise, balance, reconcile and, most of all, render fruitful what is unique about them and what it is they share with others,” she says.

“Divergent Thinkers is a practical example of youth empowerment – one that not only empowers the young artists participating, but all those who actively engage with and visit the exhibition.”

Over the past four years each exhibition has had a particular theme. This year’s focuses on real space and virtual space and the nature of human relationships.

Losing Ground, by Moira Agius.

The Communicator, by Ryan Falzon.

“The concept of divergent thinking is generally defined as a creative process through which one investigates various possible solutions to a problem or alternative ways of dealing with an issue. The themes of space and relationships have given the artists a lot to think about this year,” says Miriam.

As in past years, an open call was held for young artists aged between 21 and 30 keen to take part and curator Raphael Vella then selected the format for the exhibition. This year’s chosen artists are Matthew Schembri, Umberto Buttigieg, Maxine Attard, Ryan Falzon, Moira Agius, Martina Galea, Joseph Formosa and Maria Chiara Monterosso. The resulting array of work is diverse and innovative.

For instance, there’s Matthew’s installation of a whole kitchen covered in prints from social media, including the walls and furniture, which points to how contemporary life is pervaded by the digital domain.

“Meanwhile, Umberto’s and Maxine’s multi-media installation documents the social aspects of eating together and Ryan’s two large paintings display mixed influences from various sources, including the internet,” Miriam says.

There’s so much more, of course. Moira’s performance and video, for instance, addresses issues of racial prejudice, which naturally seen to complement Martina’s paintings and drawings of mappings and mathematical codings, and Joseph’s and Maria Chiara’s photographs depicting domestic spaces.

K, by Martina Galea.

“As with other projects initiated by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, the aim here is not only to support and promote the work and endeavour of individual young people, but to create a communal space where contemporary life, in all its diversity, can be explored and reflected upon. And that’s exactly what has been achieved in this exhibition.

“I believe it will be the sort of exhibition that will attract and interest a huge cross-section of people and that is exactly what we always hope to achieve. It will doubtlessly provide visitors with food for the eye, the ear and the mind,” Miriam says.

Divergent Thinkers opens on August 31 at St James Cavalier as part of VIVA 2015, a Valletta 2018 initiative and is a collaboration between Fondazzjoni Kreattività, Valletta 2018 Foundation, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and Arts Council Malta.

www.viva.org.mt