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Suitable Citizens, 2021

Raphael Vella, with Habtom Tsigehans, Tesfay Simon, Helen Adhanom, Edith Flore, Precious Orogun and Daniel Okoegwale. Supported by artists Giola Cassar and Sarah Maria Scicluna and fashion designer Luke Azzopardi.

 

The Maltese Citizenship Act states that an adult “alien or a stateless person…may be granted a certificate of naturalisation as a citizen of Malta if he satisfies the Minister” that, amongst other things, “he would be a suitable citizen of Malta”. But what makes a person a “suitable citizen“?  The project Suitable Citizens brought together a group of participants from different African countries and local artists and educators to produce various artefacts: photographs, screen printed tote bags, scarves, face masks and a large group textile artwork mixing stencilling with collage and painting. Supported by the local NGO Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, this socially engaged work formed part of ‘Acting on the Margins: Arts as Social Sculpture’ (AMASS).

Date
  • September 21, 2021
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