Isma’ u Għ(id)li, a collaborative exhibition with Dar Hosea, a centre that provides a safe and supportive environment for those experiencing vulnerability, violence and sexual exploitation, is currently open at Dar Manwel Magri, Msida.
The idea for the exhibition originated in January as a collaboration in the form of creative workshops at the shelter between Martina Cassar Laferla, Anne Farrugia, Mattea Ciantar, Martina Spiteri, Deborah Debono, Sarah Zammit Munro, Laura Camilleri Rizzo and the women of Dar Hosea, with the help of Maria Borg Pellicano, Vanessa Schembri, Martina Spiteri, the home’s volunteers, and all those who made the project possible.
The workshops, which started in March, encouraged participants to explore self-expression, reflection and connection through art. The works created during this process are now being presented in this exhibition.
Reflected in the project’s title, the symbolism of the hand (id in Maltese) is central – representing work, creativity, community and care.
Deborah Debono, the founder of Isma’ u Għ(id)li, drew inspiration from this concept to further develop her original work, which centred on her photography of hands together with reflective writings.
She said: “In 2021, I created a page on Facebook and Instagram called Għ(id)li. Through this, I wanted to create greater awareness of people’s different lives, from the perspective of their hands. But I wanted this idea to develop into something bigger.”
Visitors are thus invited to listen deeply, reflect and carry forward a message of resilience, empathy, awareness and shared humanity.
Isma’ u Għ(id)li is open for viewing from November 17 to 21 at Dar Manwel Magri, Msida, between 10am and 9pm, and at Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Santa Venera, from December 1 to 5 between 4 and 9pm.
Between these dates, the exhibition will also be displayed at De La Salle College in a private, educational setting, offering students the opportunity to engage with the project’s themes of empathy, respect and human rights through art.
The project is supported by the EU through the European Solidarity Corps, implemented locally by the European Union Programme Agency (EUPA).
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