Anamnesis
‘Anamnesis means remembrance or reminiscence, the collection and recollection of what has been lost, forgotten, or effaced. It is therefore a matter of the very old, of what has made us who we are. But anamnesis is also a work that transforms its subject, always producing something new. To recollect the old, to produce the new: that is the task of Anamnesis’.
Anamnesis is the first solo exhibition of Clint Calleja. Anamnesis is a journey of trauma and memory. My intimate walk through the events that have shaped me as a person, father, teacher and artist. In his own words, "Anamnesis is a deep self-revelation, my coming to terms with the past to put my soul at rest.
Anamnesis is my innermost self-portrait."
Traumatic experiences may not be admitted in a person’s consciousness until they reach a safe period. Clint has reached this time and through this exhibition of paintings, sculpture and installations he is coming to terms with four life-changing events which unfold in a chronological order from his childhood to the present.
Chapter 3
18.02.18
This dark chapter recalls the death of Gordon Spiteri, the 35-year-old neighbour who lived a floor down the same block. He succumbed after inhaling too much smoke caused by a fierce blaze which started on the fourth floor beneath him. While desperately trying to find his way out, he did not manage to get past the artist’s apartment, on the uppermost floor, despite its door was open. This was a most tragic loss for the victim’s relatives, with lasting influence on the artist and his family, who following the misinformation reported by the media, fell victim of popular misjudgements.
Faith III
Oil on wood and a montage of manipulated photographs
Immortalises family life before the fire – a distant memory, since nothing remained the same after the tragic event. Hope dwindles, and faith evaporates even further.
Addolorata
Installation
This work introduces us to the third chapter of Anamnesis recalling the death of Gordon Spiteri, the 35-year-old neighbour who lived in an apartment in the artist's same block and who succumbed after inhaling too much smoke caused by a fire on the second floor.
Ever since her son’s tragic loss, Gordon’s mother has resorted to social media in remembrance. She tries to come to terms with her trauma through regular posts, some of which recall the tragic day. Many are published on Sunday at around midnight, in a restless attempt to seek relief from her sorrow.
“li kieku”
Installation featuring erased soot on the apartment door which withstood the blaze
Pervaded with innumerable ‘what if’ scenarios, this work captures the thoughts and doubts which prevailed after the terrible accident. We are presented with several memory-objects – relics from these tragic events which lose their original purpose. They are no longer mere witnesses of the events but are in their own right artworks carrying powerful insights. A means through which the artist comments and comes to terms with his past.
It’s getting dark, too dark to see, feels like I’m knocking on Heaven’s door
Installation featuring soot and gold-leaf on the artist’s apartment blinds
This is a loud cry, capturing a desperate moment. It is also a powerful statement bearing witness to the fact that contrary to what the media published, the uppermost apartment was open and the victim had managed to get in.