Solo Exhibitions

MeliTENSION

The Real, The Unreal, & The Surreal

Curated by: Ramon Azzopardi Fiott

Ramon Azzopardi Fiott

Synopsis

The MeliTENSION Exhibition showcases ten pop-surreal digital paintings by Ramon Azzopardi Fiott, accompanied by a unique performance piece, The Patriot Act II, a collaboration with Maltese burlesque star Undine LeVerve. The paintings depict fantastical creatures that fuse Maltese cultural icons with surrealist creativity, set against local backdrops that capture the essence of Malta. Each artwork tells a distinct story, bringing diversity within a cohesive collection. They are strange, colourful, and whimsical, much like the artist himself. Through these works, Fiott captures a blend of nostalgia and curiosity, exploring themes of social identity and heritage loss.

The Patriot Act II revisits LeVerve’s original piece of the same name, where she embodies Melita—the spirit of Malta—in a witty burlesque performance critiquing the aesthetic decline due to urban development. Together, this exhibition invites viewers to reconnect with their inner daydreamer and experience Malta through a unique, imaginative lens. MeliTENSION presents a dreamlike vision of Malta, where the monsters are less threatening, and cultural introspection becomes an artful escape.

Introduction

MeliTENSION marks a personal and artistic turning point for me.
Following the loss of my mother, I channelled my grief into my debut exhibition, Epokaliss, an introspective collection that opened on the first anniversary of her passing. MeliTENSION is a different story—a celebration of cultural nostalgia and creative rebirth.

My fascination with Melitensia started early; as a sixth-form student, I submitted a fish-bus fusion drawing, the first echo of what became a decade-long journey shaped by perseverance and synesthesia. This initial concept evolved, giving rise to a series of surreal creatures representing Maltese identity, a project I call Ikona, developed. Though life changes kept the work on hold, five pieces from Ikona are now part of MeliTENSION, blending the original vision with new inspiration.

I hope these fantastical beings charm you as they do me. I hope they inspire you to reflect on our heritage, thriving beyond museum walls. If you’re Maltese, in any sense, I hope you see yourself within them. They are a tribute to our culture and a reminder not to lose ourselves in the pursuit of progress.

Foreword by Prof. Vince Briffa

Ramon Azzopardi Fiott’s recent work stands out not only for its vibrant, playful aesthetic and commentary on Maltese heritage, but also for its deeply personal perspective—a lens shaped by the artist’s own world. I first met Ramon in 2013, before his enrolment in the BFA Digital Arts programme at the University of Malta. A young, ambitious art student with a sharp wit, Ramon’s growth has been remarkable, both in skill and conceptual depth, particularly in his awareness of Malta’s evolving identity.

Fiott’s work reflects his passion for Malta’s cultural heritage, aligning with Katherine Rowntree’s observation that Maltese people have always been bricoleurs, constructing and redefining “Malteseness” over time. Ramon’s fantastical illustrations capture this chameleon-like identity, seen through an outsider’s critical eye. The works weave facets of local life into surreal creatures, bridging tradition and fantasy with painterly skill.

The MeliTENSION Exhibition embodies a young artist’s romanticised vision of Malta, a whimsical reflection on familiar yet fading Maltese symbols—the iconic bus, the gallarija, the fishing luzzu. These elements, presented through vibrant narrative and a playful critique, underscore Malta’s cultural transformation. Although MeliTENSION marks a departure from Fiott’s darker debut, Epokaliss, the new collection maintains the themes of identity, heritage, and nostalgia, exploring the idea that through creativity, Malta can counterbalance its “tense” atmosphere.

Ramon invites us to engage with our surroundings playfully, enriching our environment and ourselves. I hope that everyone who attends the MeliTENSION Exhibition embraces this invitation.

~ Prof. Vince Briffa