Julinu’s Radioactive Ravioli

"Julinu’s Radioactive Ravioli" was my first, large-scale, solo, pop-surrealist, oil-painting exhibition presenting a strangely familiar, alternate universe. By assigning alternative visual interpretations to common terms and elements from pop culture, I explored the deeper levels of ambiguity that lie in the intersection of visual and linguistic communication. The result was a set of playful yet thought-provoking and surreal juxtapositions that challenge instinctive reactions to familiar cues. The combination of a moody aesthetic rendered in realistically-executed, traditional painting techniques, merged with a cynical, contemporary cultural zeitgeist, contribute to the delivery of the cheeky and irreverent, dead-pan humour inherent to this project. The project also featured a 3m, bronze-like, melting sculpture questioning the role of tradition and the tribalistic obsession with politicians (from any side of the political spectrum) and saints in Maltese society. The statue (named San Dub – pronounced /sɐnˈdu:p/ ) is a Maltese word play – a homophonic pun exploiting the similar-sounding “ser indub” – meaning “I am going to melt”. It was placed in front of the exhibition venue – which happens to be a stone’s throw away from the “Office of the Prime Minister”. Curated by Justine Balzan Demajo and Francois Zammit, "Julinu’s Radioactive Ravioli" was supported by a Malta Arts Fund Project Support Grant from Arts Council Malta and by Vee Gee Bee Art, San Gwann. It was exhibited at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta, Malta from Friday 26 April until Sunday 26 May 2019. Wine and (edible) ravioli were served on the opening night.