The Malta Society of Arts (MSA), in collaboration with Arts Council Malta (ACM), successfully concluded the second and final edition of the acclaimed Variations on Emergence artist residency programme with a final event held on December 12.
The event, hosted at Palazzo de La Salle, the MSA’s headquarters in Valletta, showcased the extensive research and new work developed by the 2025 resident artists, Nina Gerada and Martina Georgina, during their eight-month programme.
This residency project was specifically designed for emerging practitioners based in Malta, inspired by the concept of “emergence” – a stage of developing one’s artistic practice. It was structured to provide a supportive framework for artists to expand their horizons in new and challenging directions.
Visual artist Gerada presented material developed through her project, Collecting Embodiment. Gerada’s research stemmed from reconnecting with the Maltese coastlines and traditional crafts, culminating in a collection of material tests, found objects and photography that traces a dialogue between the body, landscape and memory.
Reflecting on the freedom and expansion the programme provided, Gerada said: “The residency at the Malta Society of Arts has given me the space to research in non-conventional ways, without the pressure to produce. For example, I’ve spent time walking the coasts of the Maltese islands with no specific agenda, which has allowed me the freedom to experiment and try new things.
“Materially, my work has expanded. Although I normally make sculptures in clay, during the residency I’ve explored rock, carving, weaving, photography, fabrics and found objects. The MSA has also organised conversations and workshops with craftspeople, curators and scientists, all of which have broadened my skill set and network.”
Performing artist Georgina shared Horsepower, a series of performative experimentations. Her work was an embodied inquiry into care, proximity and observation, stemming from fieldwork in the local horse world, including volunteering at RMJ Horse Rescue. This supportive framework for exploring unexpected interests was crucial to her process.
As she noted: “During our first meeting as resident artists at MSA, we were asked to think of engaging in skills and activities that may not be so directly related to our practice, to challenge and surprise ourselves given the length of time of the residency period. I impulsively asked whether connecting with horses could be considered a good example and this was received with enthusiasm.
“This supportive framework has allowed me the opportunity to invest my time outside of the studio; choosing to spend time with horses as my fieldwork, then engaging in the process of translating my experiences and documentation into performative research material from a place of responsive embodiment and intuition.”
The event offered the audience a valuable insight into the artists’ exploratory processes in the beautiful settings of the Sala dei Cavalieri and vaults within Palazzo de La Salle. The event successfully concluded the two-edition programme dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Maltese artists.
Luke Dalli, executive chair of Arts Council Malta, said: “Artist residencies such as Variations on Emergence play a vital role in strengthening Malta’s creative ecosystem by giving emerging practitioners the time, space and trust to deepen their research and expand their practice. This collaboration with the Malta Society of Arts reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in artistic development at crucial stages of an artist’s journey, while fostering meaningful dialogue between artists, communities and place.”
Roderick Camilleri, acting president of the Malta Society of Arts echoed Dalli’s comments.
“Through our collaboration with Arts Council Malta, Variations on Emergence has allowed us to meaningfully invest in emerging artistic practices in Malta. Nina Gerada and Martina Georgina have demonstrated how time, mentorship and openness can lead to rigorous, generous and deeply engaged artistic research. We are proud to have hosted and supported this process at the Malta Society of Arts together with ACM.
For more information, check out the following links:
Arts Council Malta: www.artscouncilmalta.gov.mt or www.facebook.com/ArtsCouncilMalta
Malta Society of Arts: www.artsmalta.org or www.facebook.com/MaltaSocietyOfArts
Nina Gerada: www.ninagerada.com or www.instagram.com/ninagerada
Martina Georgina: www.instagram.com/martinageorginatekla