Wabi Sabi is a notion which can be understood as an appreciation of beauty that is doomed to disappear – or an ephemeral contemplation of aesthetics which intensify in their grandeur as their essence is renewed through the process of ageing, and fading.

“I’ve always been particularly attracted to the abandoned or the ruined – my favourite pastime when I was in my teens was visiting and documenting old abandoned buildings.”

“I find it hard to explain my fascination, but perhaps knowing that these locations have been subject to the passing of time attracts me to them even more – especially when it comes to decaying rocks or scenes.”

Vella’s exhibition offers a photographic reflection of landscapes, objects, and human beings – inspired by the interpretation of decay as beautiful.

This perspective is heightened by the artist’s employment of an unconventional photographic medium: shooting on expired 35mm film.

By shooting on film which has long exceeded its date of expiry (some of her rolls expired 40 years ago) the artist’s aesthetic intentions are forced to collide with uncontrollable, and unpredictable physical constraints.

“As soon as I feel inspired by a sight, I reach for my camera,” Sasha told Lovin Malta.

Embracing a collision between aesthetic control and unpredictable chaos requires the creator to loosen her grasp over the medium, in an act of meditative surrender.

Despite this act, Vella is not abandoning hope that her work could contribute to the collective efforts necessitate by the challenges posed by our desire to protect our environment.

“I hope that perhaps my work can lead to some form of inspiration for others too, especially when it comes to deepening our appreciation towards the fading landscapes as a country, and realising that not all is lost yet, if only we united.”

Vella’s broad range of interests are reflected differently in her journalistic work than they are in her photography – but both expressive forms tend to coalesce around thorough investigations of human impacts upon the environment – playfully examining the interconnectivity between nature and humans.

In this exhibition, Sasha sought out changing landscapes, and found herself indirectly prioritising the desolate, where she was able to identify and capture fleeting pockets of beauty.

Il-Kamra ta’ Fuq is an exhibition venue situated on the first floor of the New Life Bar in Mqabba – a space used for monthly exhibitions curated by the Art Sweven team. This particular exhibition was curated by Melanie Erixon.

“For many years, I had a growing frustration that my work could only be seen on social media – and all that is changing now, as my photographic work can finally be seen as I always envisioned it to be,” said Vella.

“I don’t think much when I’m photographing. It comes very naturally, almost intuitively. My dad had bought me my first camera when I was around eight years old, so it’s been something I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember.”

“I guess I was always drawn to the act of documenting that which may be lost in another time.”

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