Link to the new: https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20190420/arts-entertainment/imperfect-and-incomplete-beauty.707745

The Japanese aesthetic concept of Wabi-Sabi ‒ beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete ‒ is the theme of an exhibition of the same name being organised by Arthall in collaboration with the international pop-up gallery Spright-Art.

The artists are displaying sculptures, collages and paintings made with found objects and original mixed media crea­tions. The collection will have a critical approach, questioning what we have been told to see and regard as the ‘truth’.

Participating artists include Be J. Birza, Frances R, Fabrizio Fabbroni and Jeroen Hoekman.

Hoekman is the co-founder of Spright-Art, and besides working as gallery director, he also makes time for his own work as a potter. His work ranges from classic forms with special glazes, often crystal, to more experimental expressions. It is in­spired by classic earthenware and functional pottery.

Even if the work seems to be made of other materials – wood, ready-made objects, foam or plastics – clay can always be found somewhere within or outside the work.

Birza effortlessly succeeds in convincingly highlighting the expressiveness of ‘poor art’ years after the heyday of arte povera. The artist often uses acids and other substances that cause ageing processes.

Chemical reactions bring about oxidation, weathering and discolouration and thus reinforce the suggestion of impermanence.

He underlines that the history of worn-out things always remains interesting and in fact is not subject to dating or erosion. His kimonos are made from found objects and lead sheets.

Frances R uses found objects and pieces of her own ‘des­troyed’ paintings. She provokes us to abandon our attachment to the ‘truth’. The artist presents her works like small windows into a mind that questions the reality of what we have been told to see. Ranging from biblical and historical scenes to pictures of our own time, the artist will also show one of the signature surf boards from her popular series Maria (collage of paper/poster/magazine strips on surf board).

Fabbroni is strongly influenced by the arte povera, especially after meeting the masters of the Transavantgarde movement, Sandro Chia and Francesco Clemente.

He is an artist who considers himself an experimenter. He uses any kind of material in order to make changes in the way he presents his art.

The thing that fascinates him most is the research before crea­ting his artworks. The works shown in this event challenge the viewer to let go preconceived ideas of intellectual and conceptual art and return to the emotions behind the form.

Wabi-Sabi is open until May 5 and can be viewed at Arthall, 8, Agius de Soldanis Street, Victoria. Opening hours are on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 1pm and 4pm to 6pm, and on Sundays from 10am to noon.