Bandiera Bajda: A Bold Exhibition Challenging Gender Stereotypes
Maltese artist, Etienne Farrell, challenges gender stereotypes in “Bandiera Bajda”, a month-long outdoor installation is set to be on display in Melita Street in Valletta.
“It was, and perhaps to some extent still is, customary in Malta for young women to be warned that men are ‘a white flag’, meaning that they can wash their hands of fatherhood as they please. It is a term meant to instill fear, that women bear the burden while men walk away without responsibility or shame,” said Farrell.
The exhibition is set to examine the social and emotional narratives surrounding fatherhood in Malta and will be available for viewing throughout June. The installation includes nine symbolic washing lines hung with white clothing and bedsheets, each representing a different personal story or experience of fatherhood. Using mixed media, participants’ reflections will be displayed both on the bedsheets and accompanying panels. These panels will also display photographs of the participants which will also be authored.
The list of participants included Jon Mallia, Nathan Camilleri, Clive Piscopo, Naeem Shaikh, Victor Galea, Manuel Cassar, Josie Vella, Reuben Vella, Manuel & Steve Aquilina.
“What I find striking about Etienne’s work is her fearless ability to turn sensitive subjects into meaningful art. Bandiera Bajda will inevitably challenge societal norms. It does not attempt to silence women but rather extends the conversation to include male experiences in a thoughtful, inclusive way,” said Lola Bonnici, an emerging independent curator.
“As a female artist who previously created Guilty, a project on women’s experiences of gender-related issues, Bandiera Bajda feels like a natural evolution. It is about empathy, understanding, and giving voices to different sides of the human experience,” said Farrell.
An artist talk by Etienne Farrell will be held on the opening night, 1st June 2025 (date is subject to change) at 7.30pm till late. Additional talks from participants will take place throughout the month.
Will you be visiting the exhibition?
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