Liberated #5, Mixed media collage

• Mixed media collage - acrylic paint, acrylic ink, Indian ink, spray paint, gel plate image transfer and hand-cut collages on paper
• 39.5cm x 52cm (framed)
• 2023
• Auctioned framed

'Honesty With Wilder Gaze' is an experimental self-portraiture project which serves as an instrument to reach self-liberation from heteronormative expectations relating to sexuality, queer identity, gender expression and self-expression. After coming out to my family in 2021, I reached a point in my personal life where I no longer needed the identity that was formed around being closeted. However, I did not know any other way to exist, and this led to a profound identity crisis. This artistic journey allowed me to redefine myself, outside all the shame, fear and learned self-censorship. While the initial phases of this deeply personal project were clouded by intense negative emotions, such as fear, loneliness and low self-esteem, the final stage marks my arrival at confidence, liberation and queer joy. I achieve this mainly through a process of artistic transformation: from photographic documentation of the physical self, to detail-subtractive gel plate image transfer prints, to painting and analogue collage-making. The final collages entitled ‘Liberated #4 and #5’ feel and appear explosive as I learn to fully define and embrace my own queerness and femininity. This project draws inspiration from Andy Warhol, a sonnet concert interlude by Lady Gaga, Keith Haring, Egon Schiele and Ian Woods, amongst others. 

About the Artist

Andrew is a Malta-based multimedia artist who specialises in analogue collage-making. In his artistic practice, Andrew often seeks to combine traditional and digital processes, techniques and tools, in an effort to create connections between a multitude of sources of inspiration, such as nature, visual art, fashion, poetry/music, and photography. Andrew has recently finalised a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning (specialising in art education) at University of Malta, following a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts in Digital Arts in 2020.

About the auction

• This artwork is part of The Big Gay Art Show, a collective exhibition celebrating queer Maltese and Malta-based artists, displayed at Cafe Society in Valletta between the 7th and 30th of September 2023
• All proceeds from the auction go to the Artist
• The bidding increment is set at EUR 10.00
• The silent auction auction ends on the 30th of September at 23:59
• The winning bidder will be notified on the 1st of October 2023
• The collection of the artwork will be available from the 3rd of October 2023 at il-lokal shop in Valletta
• Local and international shipping will be quoted separately