Dream Welding, a new exhibition by Leo Chircop, opened yesterday at the Art Galleries of the Malta Society of Arts in Valletta. The show, which brings together a unified body of 12 large-scale images, is open to the public until February 7.
“For me, photography is a cherished medium. I take a lot of time to process things, both in life and in image-making, and I felt it was finally the right time to actualise the images I had in my mind under one body,” Chircop, who is exhibiting his work for the first time, said.
While photography forms the foundation of the exhibition, Chircop resists strict definitions of medium. He describes himself instead as an image-maker, engaging photography as part of a broader process that includes literature, research and adjacent visual practices.
“Using a camera for me is only one aspect to create the whole story,” he explains, emphasising his ongoing curiosity and learning within the medium.
The works in Dream Welding were developed alongside Chircop’s reading on the body and water, particularly through the lens of hydro feminism. This theoretical grounding informs the exhibition’s visual language, where the human body is presented in an anti-portrait manner – less focused on individual identity and more on collective presence, materiality and the relationship between human and non-human forms.
Central to the evolution of the series is the work titled Dream Welding IV, an image Chircop describes as accidental yet formative. Returning to it repeatedly, he gradually recognised its role in shaping the exhibition’s aesthetic.
“I realised that having as little as possible going on in the image is what rested my eyes. It became a process of image ‘bleaching’ – removing elements through the viewfinder until I found a sense of peace and certainty.”
All works are presented in bespoke, in-house designed metal frames, created specifically for the exhibition. This design choice enhances the physical presence of the images and reinforces the sense of cohesion across the series.
Chircop hopes the audience will experience Dream Welding as an overarching encounter rather than a sequence of individual works.
“All images are meant to be as one,” he observes.
MSA Acting President Roderick Camilleri noted that Dream Welding reflects the Malta Society of Arts’ commitment to supporting “thoughtful, research-driven contemporary practice”.
He added: “Leo Chircop’s work invites viewers into a quiet yet deeply resonant space, where image, theory and material sensitivity converge. We are proud to present this exhibition as part of our ongoing programme.”
Dream Welding, an exhibition by Leo Chircop, is open until February 7. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, and Saturdays 9am to 1pm. The galleries are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Entrance is free. For more details, visit www.artsmalta.org/events or www.facebook.com/maltasocietyofarts.