A Journey Through Art, Memory, And Self-Discovery At Ta’ Qali

A new exhibition by Angelique Degabriele Attard, BLA KANTUNIERI, invites visitors into an intimate and evolving artistic world, where personal experiences, experimentation, and social themes come together in a deeply expressive collection.

Opening at Gemelli Art Gallery, Ta’ Qali, this showcase brings together works spanning from 2010 to today, offering a glimpse into the shifting creative process that has shaped the artist’s journey.

For the artist, visual art has always been both a passion and a refuge. Over the years, the style has evolved from abstract painting to fabric design, illustration, and socially engaged art, before ultimately finding a home in mixed media.

The signature technique incorporates watercolour, acrylic ink, fine liners, and collage, with each cut-out element sourced from original paintings.

Art is not confined to the studio. Many of the works in this exhibition were drawn and painted in cafés, on beaches, in hotel rooms, and even during flights, where sketching helped ease travel anxiety. These fragmented moments of creativity eventually come together in intricate compositions, much like a jigsaw puzzle, where flowers, insects, and landscapes find their place within each piece.

The exhibition features works inspired by both joyful and difficult experiences. Some of the most personal pieces reflect time spent at Mater Dei Hospital with a loved one during a challenging five-week period.

Other works draw inspiration from animals, favourite beaches, almond blossoms, and self-portraits. While landscapes, flowers, and the sea often appear, there is also beauty in places that might not be conventionally pleasant, pushing viewers to look beyond the obvious.

Through art, themes of neurodivergence and mental health are also explored, addressing experiences of ADHD, anxiety, and OCD. These conditions, often misunderstood, are confronted through drawings, breaking down stigma and fostering connection for those who share similar struggles.

A recurring symbol is the dragonfly, representing transformation, adaptability, and self-realisation. This motif serves as a reflection of personal and artistic growth, constantly evolving and embracing new perspectives.

Beyond personal storytelling, the work is also deeply engaged with social and political themes. Pieces such as Il-Palestina, Aqta’ Fjura u Ibni Kamra, and Justice for Jean Paul Sofia reflect a commitment to activism through art, using visual expression as a means of resistance and awareness.

As an art teacher, there is an acknowledgment that the work sometimes carries a childlike quality, influenced by the students encountered daily and the sense of playfulness still present in the creative process. Spontaneity and curiosity guide artistic choices, bringing a raw and intuitive element to the work.

At the heart of the collection is the circle—a recurring theme that symbolises continuity, flow, and shifting perspectives.

Often framing moments as if seen through a camera lens, circular compositions capture fleeting experiences and emotions, offering a unique window into personal and collective narratives.

BLA KANTUNIERI is a call for people of all ages to embrace art in any form—whether through visual art, music, drama, dance, or any other creative expression.

Degabriele Attard believes that art not only celebrates life’s joys but also helps navigate its challenges, making the journey both more beautiful and more bearable.

The exhibition will be launched on 21st February at 7pm and will run from 19th to 28th February at Gemelli Art Gallery, Crafts Village, Ta’ Qali. It will be open from 7am to 2:30pm on weekdays, from 10am to 12pm on Saturdays, and will be closed on Sundays.

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