Before the Work There’s “I”: A solo exhibition by Maxine Attard at Valletta Contemporary

Before the work, there’s “I”, a new solo exhibition by artist Maxine Attard at Valletta Contemporary, reveals a deeply introspective and critical exploration of the art world and the artist’s place within it. 

The exhibition showcases her journey through a process that is both repetitive and aimed at reaching something extraordinary, yet feels constantly interrupted by external pressures. Through her art, she expresses the idea that artists often feel suppressed and misunderstood by the very systems that are supposed to support them.

Through a ritualistic creative process, such repetitive gestures, as seen in the works, aim to achieve the sublime and somewhat unattainable, suggesting a deep commitment to the artistic process. 

However, the works are presented as interrupted, reflecting a reaction to and introspection about the conditions under which art is produced. This indicates an awareness of external influences that affect artistic creation, possibly including market forces and conditions created by the art establishment.

The work itself is heavily centred around the notion that there is no art without the artist, no gallery without the artist. 

It challenges the idea of the art system existing independently of the artist, highlighting the artist’s critical role in both the creation of art and the sustenance of the art world.

The exhibition also aims to juxtapose meditative and mathematical artworks while combining her artworks with diary entries that are displayed on the gallery walls. This combination creates a powerful contrast, where her reflective and calculated art pieces meet the raw, unfiltered thoughts from her diary. 

Attard’s art serves as a critique of the art world, pointing out how it often alienates and marginalises artists. The display evolves over time, as pieces are gradually presented within the gallery. This evolving nature of the exhibition mirrors the personal, political, and experimental journey of the artist, making it a dynamic and engaging experience for viewers.

Overall, “Before the work, there’s ‘I'” is a thought-provoking exhibition that invites viewers to understand the artist’s world, challenges, and the search for authenticity in the contemporary art scene.

The exhibition opened on 6th December and a closing event will be held at Valletta Contemporary on the 24th of February. Exhibition Dates: 7th December 2023 – 22nd December 2023 | 10th January 2024 – 24th February 2024 | Wed-Sat, 2pm – 7pm

Image Credit: Valletta Contemporary, BBKL