I Will Follow The Ship: Maltese Artist Matthew Attard Representing Malta At Venice Biennale 2024
Established Maltese artist Matthew Attard has been chosen to represent Malta at the prestigious Biennale di Venezia International Art Exhibition in 2024.
Represented by Galleria Michela Rizzo in Venice, 36-year-old Attard is currently finishing off his PhD at the Edinburgh College of Arts of the University of Edinburgh funded by the Malta Arts Scholarship Scheme, making him one of the youngest artists to represent his country at the Biennale.
This is the first time that Arts Council Malta (ACM), which commissions the national project, chose a solo show to represent the Maltese Pavilion.
Speaking with Lovin Malta, Attard expressed his excitement at being given the opportunity to represent his home country at his second country, having lived in Venice for a large portion of his life.
“This is simply a dream. I’m extremely honoured to be entrusted to represent my home country during this prestigious event,” Attard expressed.
“My first encounter with the Venice Biennale occurred in 2009 when I was intern at the US Pavilion for Bruce Nauman’s show ‘Topological Gardens’, and I remember thinking: “Wow how must it feel to exhibit at a national pavilion during the Venice Biennale?!” … so in a way I am both still in disbelief and overwhelmed with excitement!”
“The timing is impeccable… a constant question I had on my mind while finishing the PhD regarded what I was supposed to do next! And I am really glad that the experience I gained during the PhD practice can be beneficial for this new venture.”
“I have an endless amount of people to thank, starting from the fantastic curatorial team for this project. I thank them for their trust, passion and knowledge that shaped our proposal, and am really looking forward to realising this with them.”
“I also thank ACM and the judging panel for their trust. Last but not least I thank Galleria Michela Rizzo, who has been representing me for ten years and taught me how to believe in my work.”
The curators of I Will Follow the Ship are Sara Dolfi Agostini and Elyse Tonna. Maria Galea and Galleria Michela Rizzo shall oversee the project management.
Joey Borg shall oversee the programming and software development of the project. Alonso Domínguez Sanchez Teruel will be managing the International outreach and programming.
Matthew’s art Installation, I Will Follow The Ship, is unique to Malta – however, it has the capability to resonate with many cultures who have a special bond with the sea that surrounds them.
Matthew’s work originates from popular historical images of ex-voto ship graffiti (particularly those located within the historical site of San Pawl Milqi, which speak of ancient local tales of survival, faith, and salvation).
These historical and vernacularly drawn graffiti are located on the facades of several wayside chapels on the island. They are ephemeral etchings in stone potentially crafted by seafarers, and their location on places of worship “meant to show gratitude to a Christian deity for being saved from ill fate” (The Malta Ship Graffiti Project, University of Malta/Heritage Malta).
Matthew is working on their legacy in contemporary culture, in a series of drawings called Id-Dgħajjes tal-Fidili. The title refers to their role as vessels of hope and depository of faith. However, the term “fidil” that Attard uses in this context has a multitude of meanings.
Deriving from the Latin word “fidelis”, it literally means faith or faithful, but in Maltese spoken language, the term “fidil” also denotes someone who foolishly (blindly) trusts everyone, or everything.
Gonzalo Pastor Teso is the Production Consultant, Vincenzo Casali the Consulting Architect and Joey Borg shall oversee the programming and software development of the project. Alonso Domínguez Sanchez Teruel will be managing the International outreach and programming.
Established in 1895, La Biennale di Venezia, a platform for the exhibition of works by international artists, is today acknowledged as one of the most prestigious cultural institutions. The 60th edition of the Art Biennale will open on 20 April until 24 November 2024.
Arts Council Malta–under the auspices of the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government – is the commissioner of the Malta Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia.
Well done Matthew!
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