Golgotha

The exhibition Golgotha, by Mark Mallia, will be held at il-Kamra ta’ Fuq, Mqabba.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions and for everyone’s safety, exhibition viewing will be strictly by appointment only and following all the health regulations. Appointments can be done by email on [email protected] or by contacting us via our Facebook page. All exhibited works will also be on artsweven.com from the 19th of February onwards.

The concept of life as an uncertain and arduous journey, has become so much more apparent during the past months. The exhibition GOLGOTHA is a reflection on and a re-interpretation of the religious aspect, from the perspective and context of living during a pandemic. Mallia is inspired by the pain and the sacrifices that we all must endure during this unprecedented situation.

The works echo the suffering that we all confront in so many different ways – everyone to his/her own personal Golgotha or calvary. We were all put to a harsh test since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The path of uncertainty that we are all facing, is long and gruelling – will we ever see the light, will we ever embrace again?

Will I be able to hug my elderly parents again? Will I ever feel comfortable shaking a stranger’s hand again? Will I survive this solitude, which is trapping me within my own home, within these four walls? Will I be able to flee this constant domestic violence? Will I be able to party? Will I be able to find a job again? Will I be able to pay my rent this month? Will the vaccine kill me? Will I have the strength to keep on being responsible? Will I be able to see my kids? Will this nightmare end? Will I stop being depressed without an apparent reason? Will I ever be free? Will I die alone in a hospital bed? Will I have a five-minute funeral? Will I stop being paranoid? Will this Golgotha end?

But, how will it end?

The artist is emulating all his uncertainties and sufferings, all our uncertainties and sufferings; to the passion of Christ. We all have our own Golgotha to live with, day after day, for some more challenging than for others. The works embodying this exhibition are sombre and harrowing, from the Madonna & Child set in the darkest of darkness, to the tortured crucifixions executed in such brutal manner, that one can feel the pain oozing out of them. The defaced portraits of saintly beings, placing us all on the same level, as the havoc caused by this pandemic spares no one – we are just numbers. The works are made up of mixed media, including wood, metal, bones, paint and other recycled objects.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2841507602804111/