A Memory Which Acts, 2024

Collective show

Malta Society of Arts, VLT, Malta. 

In ‘A Memory Which Acts’, Farrugia delves into the ideas of uncertainty, replication and imitation, exploring the techniques of ancient pottery and chalice making. The cups hold different shapes, almost morphing from one form to the next. Just as the Etruscans longed to replicate metallic chalices from their own natural resources of red clay, it also followed a feeling of experimentation. This resulted in shiny burnished black pottery, creating the distinguishable class of ceramics called 'Bucchero'. In this installation, Farrugia experiments with both black and red clay, with the use of a glossier sheen by opting for a clear glaze finish. The choices of the clay colours symbolise the reduction firing process of Bucchero pottery, while the replicas serve as ‘sketches’ and tactile exercises of understanding the design of the object.

This artwork was commissioned by the Malta Society of Arts for ‘Clay / Craft / Concept’ (August 2024). This project was funded by CBK Rotterdam.