I was determined not to miss Francesca Balzan's exhibition The Queue. I so admire her work with Patrimonju and on Facebook.
So off I went to the Casino Maltese and into the reading room "which was historically reserved for the male members of the club." I had never been in there, a kind of Holy of Holies, I suppose. Events such as launches and concerts are held upstairs.
The Queue is a contemporary art installation consisting of 50 painted and numbered terracotta sculptures. Each figure has its own charm and I loved the captions, often tongue in cheek. I send a photo of the Ftit Menopausal to a friend who is having a rotten time with her menopause. Thank goodness she was amused.
The installation is grouped into conversations. "There is no prescribed way of displaying it, and every time the sculptures are re-arranged a new story is created," says Francesca, who commenced this art piece in the year leading up to her 50th birthday. "Reflecting on this approaching milestone I chose to celebrate each year with a sculpture that was drawn from historic sources but also from the everyday and commonplace" such as people she would see in the streets, in queues, random strangers with interesting faces.
The installation reminded me in a remote way of the terracotta army brought from China years ago which were so impressive.
The fact that the Committee of Management of the Casino Maltese had opened its doors to artists is laudable. There is such a dearth of exhibition spaces compared to the number of artists wanting to exhibit. Francesca's is the first in a series of contemporary art exhibitions by artists who are members of the club.
Being the inaugural exhibition also sets an exciting precedent. It's a meaningful way to showcase the talents within this community while bridging the club's storied past with contemporary artistic expression.
"The cultural roots of the Casino Maltese have always been strong," says Francesca. "It has hosted numerous noteworthy exhibitions and performances, and has counted leading artists, collectors and numerous art lovers amongst its members."
In this new series, the club embraces the contemporary and provides a space for its members to engage with the history of the club to create new conversations in visual ways.
Francesca Balzan is an artist, art historian and author. She studied privately under Harry Alden, then went on to obtain a diploma in painting from the Malta School of Art. She is entirely self-taught in sculpture and has developed her visual language over decades of practice. After years working in the curatorial field, she is now a full-time artist. As a sculptor her interest lies principally in portraiture and the human face, using historic sources to produce narratives which are whimsical and often humorous. Nonetheless, pathos and humanity remain sub-lying themes that inform her work. The starting point for many of her art projects is to research in archives and historic collections for inspiration.
The Queue is an art piece that Francesca commenced in the year leading up to her 50th birthday. Reflecting on this approaching milestone she chose to celebrate each year with a sculpture that was drawn from historic sources but also from the everyday and commonplace... people she would see in the streets, in queues, random strangers with interesting faces. The Queue is a reflection on mortality and draws inspiration from the analogy of the passage of life to a queue, such that an early death is often referred to as 'skipped the queue' or that, in contemplating a friend's passing, we tend to say 'we're all in the queue'. "In addition, the spontaneous queue that sprung up and took on a life of its own when Queen Elizabeth II lay in state with thousands of mourners joining and regular updates on the news was a strong visual source for this art piece," says Francesca.
This installation, composed of 50 painted and numbered terracotta sculptures, is grouped into conversations. There is no prescribed way of displaying it, and every time the sculptures are re-arranged a new story is created. Francesca's work resonates with this past and gently mimics and plays with this idea of a place reserved for conversation amongst men. Two years in the making this art piece is being shown for the first time at the Casino Maltese.
These terracotta figures are fascinating - they appear to be busts with exaggerated, almost caricature-like features that give them a charming, cartoonish quality. Each figure seems to portray a distinct personality through its unique expression and stylized details. Their craftsmanship showcases a playful yet artistic approach, capturing human expressions in a light-hearted way.
Terracotta, being a material widely used for sculptures and figurines, lends an earthy and tactile quality to these pieces.
The 50 pieces are a vibrant showcase of creativity. These terracotta figures add so much character and energy to the space. Exhibiting these many unique creations allows viewers to truly appreciate the diversity of styles and expressions the artist brings to life.
What a profound and thought-provoking concept. The Queue being a reflection on mortality is both poignant and deeply relatable. The analogy of life as a queue, with its inherent uncertainty and the sentiment of "skipping the queue," is such a striking way to capture the fragility and fleeting nature of existence. It's amazing how art can give us a space to explore themes like this in such a tangible way.
Grouping the installation into conversations adds an intriguing layer - it almost mirrors the way we process life and mortality through connections and exchanges with others. It also seems to invite viewers to imagine the stories or relationships between the figures, creating a sense of shared humanity.
What a compelling blend of tradition and transformation. Hosting The Queue in a historically male-only reading room, though in truth the reading room is too small for the large amount of people who turned up to the exhibition - however it adds a fascinating dimension to the exhibit's commentary on the passage of life - it reimagines the space as more inclusive and reflective. It's as if the room itself becomes part of the dialogue on mortality, change, and the shared human experience.
The reading room provides an intimate, evocative backdrop with its historic charm -but what an incredible testament to the exhibition's appeal that the crowd spilled into the larger hallway.
The blending of spaces - the cozy reading room with its old bookcases and the grand hallway with more room for movement - might have given attendees a layered experience that mirrors the theme of The Queue. Life is full of transitions, after all, and it's quite poetic how the exhibition itself embodied this through its audience's interaction with the venue.
That must have been such a rewarding experience for Francesca, seeing such a positive and overwhelming response to her work firsthand. Being able to observe how people interact with and interpret the installation must have added another layer of meaning to the exhibition. It's one thing to create art, but witnessing it resonate with an audience in real time is truly special.
The Queue runs till 4th April 2025 at Casino Maltese, Republic Street, Valletta. Visits by appointment on weekdays till 4:30 pm, Fridays till late (email info@the casinomaltese.com or contact Francesca Balzan). The exhibition is closed on weekends.
It was coordinated by Justine Balzan Demajo.
The Casino Maltese Exhibition Committee is made up of Prof Keith Sciberras, Dr Paul Borg Olivier and Louise Cutajar.
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