The show Before the work, there's "I" at Valletta Contemporary in Valletta, Malta was received very well by the general public and artists and other individuals working in the cultural sector. Due to the nature of the handwritten text on the gallery walls and as was expected, attempts at silencing were made.

The show opened with only one artwork/object installed and handwritten texts on all the gallery walls. More artworks/objects were gradually installed throughout the duration of the show covering parts of the texts. Some texts were left uncovered with no artwork/objects placed on top. As explained in the texts, the show was intentionally incomplete.

The decision to cover parts of the texts was due to their intimate and personal nature. However, after the positive response by the public towards the texts, parts of them were uncovered again and shared online. Some parts of the text can be read underneath the photos below. Further plans for all of the texts are being made.

The show included drawings by James Nicholas Attard.

Photography was taken by Samuel Masini.

click on the links below to view;

reactions to the show
video of set up in progress
Artist Interview in FULL for Valletta Contemporary online blog and catalogue
Collection Simon Paul