MENU

Solo exhibition
15.02 – 08.03. 2025
Yiri Arts, Taipei, Taiwan

In portugal, where the artist is from, a meal is not truly just, or at all, about food. Is about sharing, not just the necessary act of eating, but something of ourselves with others. Following this idea, the exhibition is arranged just as such - a menu for a banquet - made by the artist and for the artist, in which we are but spectators invited to take something, a metaphorical to-go bag perhaps, with us when we leave.
                                              
Couvert - Detox
Our meal begins with a raw and honest look at self-esteem and our often-fraught relationship with body image. In detox we are offered a glimpse into the artist's personal struggles and what is seemingly shallow with pastel like colours, is in fact deeper and more scarring that it seems. This first work sets the stage for the deeper explorations to come, prompting us to consider the initial ingredients that shape our personal narratives - how we view and understand ourselves.

Entrée - time zones without routine and notaries the paradox of having a meticulously organized time schedule yet feeling lost and confused lies in the tension between external structure and internal alignment. Such as an over the top entrée dish that can leave us confused at the beginning of a gastronomic journey, this work conveys the notion of over-doing/thinking something - your own trap.

 

1st course - Her restlessness...Beautiful illusion

By this point, the honesty in malta’s work continues as we take a look into a struggle many of us face. The first course delves into the delicate balance between personal fulfillment and professional demands. It explores the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our ambitions, even when those ambitions represent something we once dreamed of. The bittersweet taste of lost time hangs heavy, a reminder of the trade-offs inherents to life.
                     
2nd course - Manifesting myself most strongly in the extremities

The second course presents perhaps a more complex flavor profile - the irresistible pull of attraction, even when logic dictates otherwise. Like a magnet, the tension between desire and reason creates a palpable sense of unease, a dish best consumed with caution.
                                       
Dessert - Always cracking ice
As we move towards the sweeter notes of the meal, we arrive at a celebration of home, in the physical and metaphorical senses. It evokes the warmth, comfort, and the feeling of belonging to something greater and bigger than ourselves. Malta emphasises that sweet moments also have their own level of concern when it comes to high doses of sugar. Sometimes desire comes with addiction and pleasure with withdrawal. It’s a point where perspective regarding what we experienced prior becomes more lucid.
                                       
Coffee - And the culprit nods
A strong cup of coffee is often the perfect digestif, especially in a portuguese household, and this work serves a similar purpose. In the artist’s country, it's common to go ‘for a coffee’ at any time of the day and that implies a more personal and in-depth conversation.  It's the final note of the experience and with it comes acceptance paired with the realisation that endings are also beginnings. Like a good cup of coffee, this work reminds us that even the less palatable aspects of life can have their own value and contribute to the overall richness of our experience.

                                        
Wine - I'm here for the plot 
Finally, we arrive at the wine – a sculptural piece that has silently accompanied us throughout the visual feast. Wine "observes" the entire journey of the dinner. It sees the introductions, the toasts, the shared stories, and the reflective moments at the meal's end. Shaped like a bottle, this work is not just an addition to a meal but a multi-dimensional presence - a witness that turns dinner into a celebration of connection, flavor, and memory.